An examination of the contrasting interpretations of the cleansing of the temple in (a) the writings of the early church fathers and (b) more recent historicalcritical scholarship in light of first-century monetary practice

Crowe, Philip Martin (2021). An examination of the contrasting interpretations of the cleansing of the temple in (a) the writings of the early church fathers and (b) more recent historicalcritical scholarship in light of first-century monetary practice. University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

The Cleaning of the Temple as described in Mark 11:15-19 has traditionally been interpreted as an event of great magnitude. “By the blows of one scourge”, Jerome (347-420) wrote, Jesus “was able … to cast out so great a multitude”.1 More recently the scale of Jesus’ actions has been questioned on historical grounds as has also the charge which Jesus made that the Temple had become a “den of robbers” (Mk 11:17). It will be proposed in this study that when Jesus’ actions are examined in light of first-century monetary practice, particularly noting the role of the money-changers in the Temple, there are justifiable reasons in accepting the historicity of this event as traditionally understood. The theft that Jesus was
referring to was not so much from the pilgrim Jew by way of inflated animal prices or dishonest trade, as recent scholarship has pointed out, but rather from the Treasury into which the pilgrims deposited their offerings. The revenue that God was to receive there from the annual half-shekel tax payment (and from other mandatory and voluntary payments) was greatly, if not totally, depleted on account of the introduction of the money-changers’ services and the precise form of coinage they were offering in exchange. The nearly universal assumption that their services were necessary in the Holy Place will be challenged. It was, I will argue, these novel monetary practices that had been introduced in his “Father’s house” (Jn 2:16)/“My house” (Mk 11:17) which prompted Jesus’ actions.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):