Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MONEY-CHANGER

In ancient Palestine, the banker who exchanged local currency for that of a different country or province. Coins were widely used in the Roman Empire, and many different types, weights, and sizes of coins found their way into ancient Judea. This was especially true of Jerusalem during the Passover, as Jews came to make sacrifice at the temple. In addition, each Jewish male would pay an annual temple tax of a half-shekel.

Roman coins contained images of deities and inscriptions that proclaimed Roman domination, all of which were offensive to the Jews. Therefore, Jewish authorities insisted that the temple tax be paid with coins bearing more acceptable images, usually shekels minted in Tyre. For a nominal fee, money-changers exchanged other coins for Tyrian shekels. They may also have sold sacrificial animals to the pilgrims and lent money, also for a small commission.

The money-changers’ tables were set up in outlying areas approximately a month before Passover. As the pilgrims began to flow into Jerusalem for Passover, operations moved to the temple (probably the Court of the Gentiles). This is the scene of Jesus’ somewhat violent confrontation with the money-changers and their comrades in commerce (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:13-16).

Steven M. Sheeley

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MONEY-CHANGER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)