Changer of Money, or Money-changer

Changer Of Money, Or Money-Changer (κερματιστής, Joh 2:14; κολλυβιστής, Mt 21:12; Mr 11:15; Joh 2:15). When Judaea became a province of Rome, the Jews were required to pay taxes in Roman currency, and at the same time the annual tribute for the service of the sanctuary was the half shekel of Jewish currency. SEE TAX. To exchange these, one for the other, was the business of the money-changers, like the business of modern brokers. To obtain custom, they stationed themselves in the outer courts of the Temple, the places of general resort for strangers from every part of Judaea, and their oppressive and fraudulent practices probably justified the allusion of our Savior to "a den of thieves." Perhaps they were also (like the τραπεζίται, "exchangers") accustomed to pay and receive interest on loans, and this practice is recognized in Mt 21:12; Mt 25:16,27; Joh 2:14. At the present day, in Oriental cities, money-changers are found in the most public places, sitting at little tables covered with coins. SEE MONEY.