Benham Realty Group

On the Monday before his death on the cross, Jesus threw the money-changers and vendors out of the temple.

It is difficult to know exactly what Jesus did on Monday and Tuesday of Passion Week, but many scholars agree that the cleansing of the temple took place on Monday.

When Jesus cleansed the temple, he was showing his authority and zeal for God's holiness.

"Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, 'It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves!'" (Matthew 21:12–13)

As Christians, we believe that we are God's temple — the new dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Oh Lord Jesus, please cleanse the temples of our hearts — make us holy and dedicated to you.