This is a tricky question for me on a number of fronts. Jesus was considered without sin...so to me, that means that perhaps anger, or losing your temper, isn't always a sin...or is it? Why is this story from Matthew 21:12 so significant? Does it really have more to do with symbolism...that Christ was literally setting all of his religion back to rights? Let me know your thoughts.

Blessings, Jai

asked 21 Aug '11, 09:29

Jaianniah's gravatar image

Jaianniah
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edited 21 Aug '11, 11:12


The Bible also says to be angry and sin not. Ephesians 4:26. Anger isn't the sin, it's what you do with it. Jesus had a Godly anger at these people for making the temple, the house of God, into a marketplace, a den of theives. They were selling the animals that the people needed for their sacrifice, making a prophet in the name of the Lord. He treated the Pharisees and other men of God more harshly because they didn't practice what they preached. They had been enforcing all these rules, while neglecting their parents, they were hypocrites. Their motives were obvious to Jesus, and He was not going to stand idly by while the religious leaders took advantage of their posts.

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answered 21 Aug '11, 13:39

Fairy%20Princess's gravatar image

Fairy Princess
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Good Points!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(24 Aug '11, 11:50) Jaianniah

Thank you, Jai :)

(24 Aug '11, 13:30) Fairy Princess

Indeed this is a very loaded question, but let us look at sin in the context of Jesus being human, with feelings, and emotions, and reacting like a normal human being, what is so wrong about this?

Another way of understanding human behavior is from the perspective of the stimulation received, that can produce fight, or flight, and all the other emotions that cause fear, and anger etc. So one can appreciate Jesus disapproval in this particular situation, and it is not a sin for one to stand up for their rights. Jesus was in his rights, and he did exercise his rights, and that is not a sin.

Now for the significance of the Matthew 21:12, a temple is a place of worship, and should not be used as a Market Place for selling goods, and making money, but the bigger message here is Jesus was advocating on behalf of his father that sent him to do a job well done; he was ensuring that this message was clear to everyone, and the only way for him to do so was with him showing his authority over everyone else; since he was called by the father to lead the way for our salvation.

In terms of symbolism yes Jesus wanted to make it very clear that Temple, the house of God is a place for praying, worshiping, and under no circumstances God is mocked. Jesus had the authority to amplify and impart this teaching, and leadership in the name of the father, and nothing could stand in his way to prevent this, since his role as a human being was to fear God.

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answered 21 Aug '11, 20:24

Inactive%20User's gravatar image

Inactive User ♦♦
470124198

This is a very good and well-written answer, Vee! +1+ Thanks,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(24 Aug '11, 11:53) Jaianniah

Only my opinion of course, but the Bible's stories are not literal, and only there for their deeper meaning instead, and for us to draw lessons from. If we took them literally they would point to a cruel Creator with human tendencies (jealous, revengeful, demanding) and his imperfect son. I like to think that isn't the case, but instead they are teaching tools with buried meaning.

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answered 21 Aug '11, 11:48

LeeAnn%201's gravatar image

LeeAnn 1
17.0k1519

In order to change Judaism back to on track with God, first and foremost the people needed to see what they were doing wrong. They needed to see what is normal/standard is not necessarily (and usually not) what is right. Second he established his authority over the people including the highest rabbis of the temple, the ruling class of Judaism. Hence he put himself only under God not man-made rules and governing people.

Anger can be used in a way to wake people up to say this is not right but to not do it in a harmful way.

He had to show the people that the people they were submitting to are not who they should be submitting to, they should be submitting to God. He had to show his authority over the whole of Judaism itself, if he were to keep the highest rabbis over him his authority would have been from them not God.

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answered 21 Aug '11, 16:59

Wade%20Casaldi's gravatar image

Wade Casaldi
36.9k428102

Wade, you have come to the truth! Many Biblical scholars point to Jesus' cleansing of the Great Temple as a crowning moment n His ministry. Congrats on figuring out this important point! Love you, your>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(21 Aug '11, 19:05) Jaianniah

yea, Wade, use violence on material stuff and not people, love it.

(23 Aug '11, 23:13) RPuls

@RPuls Yes the Christian way is to use anger in a positive way. Martin Luther King is a good example of this. He became angry at injustice and prejudice. From this he lead peaceful marches to expose injustice at its roots without violence. He was angry not at people but injustice. So was Christ to his temple.

(24 Aug '11, 00:53) Wade Casaldi

Excellent response, Wade>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(24 Aug '11, 11:52) Jaianniah
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jesus said the thief are in the house of my father and it was true. sometime you need to use negativity because some people only understand that. jesus did not sin in anny way he just corrected something and made a example of it. as for the religion and God are always 2 different things. ask the question if they where wrong in that time and killed jesus for telling the truth and have add the audacity to make people believe that it was needed to wash the sin of the world and still today that lie is still working then can you trust in religion? or is it better to put your faith in God?

experience and enjoy.

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answered 21 Aug '11, 13:46

white%20tiger's gravatar image

white tiger
21.9k115116

I dont think it is a loaded question. Jesus materialy was made of the same stuff as everyone else. In other words matter. At least his body was. Even though his vibration was constantly high even Jesus himself sometimes had to be encumbered by the densness of matter. Comunication with God is through spirit only and matter gets in the way. What I'm trying to say is even though Jesus is a God he was none the less a human being while on planet earth and sometimes must have had the same reactions as we all do.

That is the same reason he said " Father why have thou forsaken me" while he was being crucified.

It couldn't have allways been easy keeping such a high vibration while encumbered by human form.

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answered 23 Aug '11, 14:00

Paulina%201's gravatar image

Paulina 1
9.2k1823

You might be very interested to learn why Jesus said that phrase on the Cross...it was posted as a question here:(inwardquest.com/questions/16186/…). Please read my answer...you may not agree, but maybe it will shed some light...you never know!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(24 Aug '11, 12:01) Jaianniah

Jai, your link didn't work

(24 Aug '11, 13:31) Fairy Princess

Thanks Jai it has shed light

(29 Aug '11, 12:00) Paulina 1
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