When they returned to the temple, Jesus was very upset about the buying and selling of sacrificial animals and the money exchange. It was supervised by priests, who alone could certify that a potential sacrificial offering was acceptable. Selling animals for sacrifices guaranteed that they only used animals that had no imperfections in temple services.
They placed exchange tables throughout Jerusalem and inside the temple. They did this on the fifteenth of Adar, the month before Passover. The exchange rate usually had a 4- to 8-percent fee. Because of the large number of half-shekels (see Exodus 30:11–16) and sacrifices involved, the money exchange and the sale of sacrificial animals was quite profitable.
Jewish writings of the time criticized priests for gaining wealth by taking advantage of poor people. Jesus did not oppose the temple or the system of sacrifices (Mark 1:44; Matthew 5:17–19, 23; 17:24–27; Luke 17:14; Acts 6:7; 21:20–26). But he saw this profit-making as theft. It did not honor the temple as a holy place.
The actions of Jesus likely affected fewer people than many think. These actions occurred in one area of the large Court of the Gentiles. Most people in other parts of the temple did not see it happen.
The lack of interference by the Roman authorities suggests that they did not observe the event or did not regard it as a riot or a political rebellion. At the trial of Jesus, they did not mention this action. It was not a big attempt to stop all activities like this, but it was a symbolic act pointing to the judgment that was coming upon the temple and the city.