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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - John 2:14 - 2:14
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The temple (ἱερῷ)
The temple inclosure: not the sanctuary (ναόξ). See on Mat 9:5; see on Mar 11:16.
Those that sold (τοὺς πωλοῦντας)
The article defines them as a well-known class.
Changers of money (κερματιστὰς)
Only here in the New Testament. The kindred noun κέρμα, money, which occurs only in Joh 2:15, is from κείρω, to cut into bits, and means therefore small coin; “small change,” of which the money-changers would require a large supply. Hence changers of money means, strictly, dealers in small change. Matthew and Mark use λυβιστής (see Joh 2:15), of which the meaning is substantially the same so far as regards the dealing in small coin; but with the difference that κόλλυβος, the noun from which it is derived, and meaning a small coin, is also used to denote the rate of exchange. This latter word therefore gives a hint of the premium on exchange, which John's word here does not convey. The money-changers opened their stalls in the country towns a month before the feast. By the time of the first arrivals of passover-pilgrims at Jerusalem, the country stalls were closed, and the money-changers sat in the temple (see on Mat 17:24; see on Mat 21:12; see on Mar 11:15). John's picture of this incident is more graphic and detailed than those of the Synoptists, who merely state summarily the driving out of the traders and the overthrow of the tables. Compare Mat 21:12, Mat 21:13; Mar 11:15-17; Luk 19:45, Luk 19:46.