My starting point here is a livestock market, of which I have attended a few. But this one wass huge. The temple courts covered a huge area. This was Annas’ Bazaar, numerous stalls paying rent to the High Priest and his family. Money-changers, inspectors of animals for sacrifice, sellers of animals for sacrifice, sheep and oxen, and doves and pigeons for poorer people.
‘from Jewish writings we know that many improper transactions were carried on, to the taking undue advantage of the poor people who came to offer their sacrifices.’ (Alfred Edersheim)
Edersheim also comments that the historical evidence is quite disjointed. Even so the Jerusalem Talmud provides much material of the operation of the Temple-market, indicating that abusive practices had continued for some decades before this incident, and even re-commenced after Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven, only ceasing three years before the destruction of Jerusalem.
The historian Josephus describes Annas (son of Annas referred to here) was ‘a great hoarder up on money.’
The population of the city was swollen at Passover time, as many thousands of Jews, usually scattered across many nations, congregated to make their offerings. They would have arrived some days ahead of the Passover to prepare. The streets and especially the Temple area, would have been congested and noisy. Yet, Jesus’ strong words were heard above the noise. I imagine a sudden and powerful silence, with every mouth stilled.
Jesus’ anger here was not the sudden loss of temper; but carefully measured righteous reaction to deep wrong. Wrongs with which He was familiar, having visited the Temple many times during His life. (The first half of John’s gospel is essentially a series of visits to Jerusalem and the Temple.) The market-place was no surprise to Him.
The gospel writers add details here (Luke has the smallest content.) See Mark 11.15 and Matthew 21.12.
Jesus drove out those who bought and sold. Their goods, sheep and oxen, were driven away.
Jesus overturned the tables of money changers.
Jesus overturned the seats of those who sold pigeons.
In John, Jesus simply spoke to those who sold doves; not turning over their tables; making a distinction with those who provided animals for the poor. (I am leaving aside the question whether John reports a previous incident, or whether he simply puts the same incident at the start of his gospel.)
Matthew adds the comment that the blind and lame came to Jesus in the temple and were healed. Jesus demonstrated what was supposed to happen there. Mark adds that he was teaching in the temple. Again, this was what was supposed to happen. Here again we see perfectly controlled anger. Jesus did not merely rail at wrong-doing, He demonstrated what He expected of those who followed Him.