Matthew Poole and continuators on John 2:16

16 And said unto them that sold doves. Take these things hence: make not my Fathers house an house of merchandise .

At this his first coming, he gives them that sold Doves a liberty to take their goods away; but at the last coming, Matth. 21.12. it is said, he overturned their seats. Those that think this president sufficient to vindicate private Persons tumultuous pulling down Images, seem not to consider, that Christ was no private Person (tho so esteemed) and did what he did as Lord of his house: Those who urge it, as inferring Magistrates and Superiors duty in this case; urge it well; for it may well be from hence concluded, That it is the Will of Christ, that places set a part for publick Worship, should neither wickedly be made Dens of Thieves, nor yet indecently made places for men to buy and sell in; tho we can ascribe no such holiness to any place, as to the Temple, which had not only a particlar Dedication, but was built by Gods order, his acceptation of it declared, and had peculiar Promises annexed to it; besides its Prefiguration of Christ (of which we shall speak more afterwad); yet even nature it self teacheth, That there is a decent reverence and respect due to such places. This Action of Christs, also, before he had published the Doctrine of the Gospel, instructs us, That those who have authority, are not always to refrain from removing instruments of Superstition and Idolatry, or gross and indecent Corruptions; until people be first by the preaching of the true Doctrine perswaded, willingly to part with them. But if this were to make Gods house a place of Merchandise for men, there to sell Oxen, and Sheep, and Doves, and keep Shops for Changing money: What do Papists make such houses, by their shewing their Relicks and Images to people, thereby to get money for their Priests; and for selling Pardons, Indulgences? &c. Never were Gods Houses to that degree made places of Merchandises, and Dens of Thieves, if every one that cheateth for his profit be (as he is) a Theif.