Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'" And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. (Lk 19:45-48)
The angry protest of Jesus is a solemn prophetic warning against the commercialization of temple business. His actions echoed that of prophet Jeremiah and the like. If the temple becomes a hide-out for brigands then surely it will come under God’s judgement. Now the temple is run by the brigands and hence it is about to meet the judgement.
The temple was the focal point of the national ideology. It was a sign of God’s unshakable promise to the people of Israel. Israel was asked to keep the promise safe. The promise was kept safe by faith and obedience. If the promise is not met by faith and obedience then judgement will come upon. It was as good as breaking the covenant relationship.
This message of Jesus was unpopular among the ruling people of God. Jesus action was the immediate cause for the arrest of Jesus and the following events. However the people who listened to him were many and they were eagerly waiting to hear his words. The leaders have to face up to this situation as well. Whatever be the judgement was imminent.
