John 2:16

ESV And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; do not make my Father 's house a house of trade."

NIV To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!"

NASB and to those who were selling the doves He said, 'Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!'

CSB He told those who were selling doves, "Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!"

NLT Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, 'Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!'

KJV And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

NKJV And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

What does John 2:16 mean?

Doves, sheep, oxen, and lambs were common sacrificial animals used in the temple. The men selling them might have started out with good intentions. Traveling pilgrims would have needed help to offer proper sacrifices. Money-changing into local currency was a common business. Unfortunately, the focus seems to have turned to profit more than service. Even worse, this vulgar trade had been brought directly in front of the temple. Instead of the temple grounds being a place for prayer and praise for God, it had been turned into a crass marketplace. The "Court of the Gentiles," the outermost part of the temple itself, was supposed to be a pathway for others to find God. Instead, Jesus finds it clogged with predatory businesses (John 2:14–15).

Jesus' command is impossible to misunderstand: get this out of My Father's house! According to the gospel of Luke, in what seems to be a similar cleansing of the temple later in His ministry, Jesus even referred to these men as "robbers" (Luke 19:46). What Jesus did was clearly against local civil laws, but His purpose was to obey a higher law. His passion for cleansing the temple will remind the disciples of a prophecy in Psalm 69:9. This text described someone with "zeal" for the house of God.

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Context Summary
John 2:13–23 describes Jesus driving corrupt businessmen from the temple. His wrath is not because of selling sacrifices, itself, but rather the greedy focus on money with no regard to serving God. Jesus is never depicted as out of control, but His anger is clear. It's likely that this is an early temple cleansing, and the other gospels record a second, separate incident. Jesus' right to act this way is challenged by the authorities. In typical Hebrew style, they demand a miraculous sign. Jesus instead predicts His own death and resurrection. This passage contrasts with the quiet, joyous miracle at the wedding.

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Chapter Summary
Jesus attends a wedding where He performs His first miracle: turning water into wine. This symbolizes a transformation of human rituals into divine sacrifice. Few people are even aware that a miracle has occurred. Jesus then drives crooked businessmen out of the temple, scolding them for turning a sacred area into a crass marketplace.

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