Matthew Poole and continuators on John 2:14

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves , and the changers of money sitting .

Matth. 21.12. Luk. 19.45. Is a peice of History so like this, that some have questioned whether it mentioneth not the same individual matter of fact; but it is apparent that it doth not. 1. Because St. Iohn mentioneth it as done three years before it, at the first Passover; all the other Evangelists mention what they report, as done at the fourth Passover. 2. The circumstances of the Narrative make it appear. 1. Iohn mentions onely the Ejection of the Sellers, all the other mention the Ejection both of the Buyers and Sellers. 2. Here, he onely saith, they had made his Fathers house a Place of Merchandise. The others say, that whereas it was written, it should be called an House of Prayer, hey had made it a Den of Thieves. 3. Here he onely bids them that sold Doves, take their goods away. The others say, he overturned the Seats of them that sold Doves; so as our Saviour plainly appeareth to have done this twice at his first Passover, and at the last. For the more full Explication of the parts of this History; see our Notes on Matth. 21.12. Luk. 19.14. Mark 11.15. The reason of their bringing Oxen, and Sheep, and Doves, into the Temple, was to supply those that came a far off, and could not bring their Sacrifices with them, with such Sacrifices as the Law required in several cases.

The money-Changers were there, to change the peoples money into half-Shekels; every one being obliged to Offer his half Shekel, Exod. 30. v. 13. Our Saviour did not condemn this course of accommodating of people; but blameth the covetousness of the Priests, who for their private lucre had made the Temple their Market-place▪ when as there was room enough elsewhere.