BIBLE STORIES # 44 - Jesus expels merchants from the Temple

Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple to teach the people there. And what did He see? Merchants sell pigeons and livestock for sacrifices, money changers exchange money, shoppers crowd ... The angry Jesus grabbed the stick and drove the merchants out of the Temple. Tables He overturned, money scattered on the floor, and the sellers said:

"My Father's house should be a house of prayer, and you turned it into some kind of robbery stash!"

The Pharisees, the Jewish priests and the teachers of the Mosaic Law were outraged. They have long thought about how they would destroy Jesus. To grasp Him in public, they did not dare, because the people loved Him to listen. And Jesus, after expelling the merchants, began to preach and teach in the Temple, and He was always surrounded by a crowd. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law asked Him the most tricky questions in the hope of catching Him on some imprudent word and blaming them. But Jesus always answered so cleverly that no one attempted it.

Then when they saw that they were not getting anywhere, the Pharisees and the Jewish priests began to look for someone who would agree to betray Jesus. And such was found - Judas, one of the twelve closest His disciples! .. He promised to give out Teacher, when he will be left alone. The Pharisees and priests rejoiced and promised the traitor a reward: thirty silver coins.