Definition: And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 11:15. It's a pretty fascinating passage about Jesus’s actions in Jerusalem! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is essentially saying he’s going to clean up and make things right in the Temple in Jerusalem. He’s going to take away anything that’s causing problems or disrupting the peace. Let's look at each part of the verse: “And they come to Jerusalem…” – This means people are traveling to Jerusalem, which was a very important religious center for Jewish people. “…and Jesus went into the temple…” - Jesus is entering the Temple itself! The Temple was a place where people offered sacrifices and prayed. “…and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple…” – This is the key part. He's removing people who were selling and buying items inside the Temple. Think of it like removing a marketplace from a sacred space. This suggests he’s dealing with things that are causing offense or disruption. “…and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers…” – This refers to people who changed the time of the Sabbath (a holy day) – they'd change the hours for prayer and rest. It’s essentially disrupting a fundamental part of Jewish tradition. “…and the seats of them that sold doves;” - This is the most intriguing part. Doves were sacred birds in Judaism, symbolizing peace and God's presence. Jesus is saying he’ll remove those who were selling or sitting where doves were placed – meaning, those involved in the sale or worship of doves. What does this all mean? Many people interpret this verse as a sign that Jesus is about to return to Earth and defeat evil. It’s often seen as a preview of his victory over sin and death. It's also a message of cleansing and renewal – a fresh start for the Temple and its community. Important Note: The exact meaning of this verse has been debated throughout history, and different interpretations exist. Some see it as a symbolic event, while others believe it’s about Jesus’s future role in establishing a new era. --- Do you want to explore any aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context of the Temple? Discuss different interpretations of the verse?