### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term κολλυβιστής (kollybistḗs), Strong's `{{G2855}}`, denotes a "money-changer" or "coin-dealer." Its etymology traces back to a presumed derivative of a word for a "small coin" (κολλύβος), likely akin to κολλούριον (kollourion), a small cake or roll, perhaps by extension referring to small, circular coins. In the ancient world, particularly in the context of the Jerusalem Temple, money-changers performed a crucial service: exchanging foreign currency brought by pilgrims into the specific Tyrian shekels or half-shekels required for paying the annual Temple tax (cf. Exodus 30:13-16) and for purchasing sacrificial animals. This exchange involved charging a commission or fee, known as the κολλύβος, making the money-changer's profession inherently profitable. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, specifically referring to those who facilitate currency exchange, often with an associated charge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κολλυβιστής appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels in direct connection with Jesus' cleansing of the Temple.
In [[Matthew 21:12]], "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers [κολλυβιστής] and the seats of those who sold pigeons."
Similarly, [[Mark 11:15]] records, "And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers [κολλυβιστής] and the seats of those who sold pigeons."
These passages depict Jesus' righteous indignation at the commercial activities taking place within the sacred precincts of the Temple, specifically the Court of the Gentiles. The presence of the κολλυβιστής and sellers of sacrificial animals transformed a place intended for prayer and worship into a bustling marketplace. While the service they provided was technically necessary for pilgrims, the location and perceived exploitation of the worshippers by exorbitant fees (implied by Jesus' strong reaction) were deemed a desecration. Jesus' actions directly fulfill prophetic words, notably from [[Isaiah 56:7]] ("My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples") and [[Jeremiah 7:11]] ("Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?"). The money-changers, by their very presence and practice, contributed to the transformation of the Temple into a "den of robbers," implying a system of unjust gain at the expense of sincere worshippers. John's Gospel, in its account of an earlier Temple cleansing (John 2:13-16), uses the synonymous term κερματιστής `{{G2773}}` for "money-changers" and refers to their "small coins" (κέρμα `{{G2772}}`), reinforcing the nature of their business.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several terms and concepts are intimately connected with κολλυβιστής:
* κέρμα `{{G2772}}`: "small coin," the very currency handled by the money-changers.
* κερματιστής `{{G2773}}`: "money-changer," a direct synonym used by John for the same individuals.
* τραπεζίτης `{{G5131}}`: "banker" or "money-lender," a broader term for those involved in financial transactions, though not specifically tied to the Temple context in the same way.
* **Temple Tax:** The annual half-shekel tax (Exodus 30:13-16) required of all Israelite males over 20, which necessitated the exchange of foreign currency into acceptable Tyrian coinage.
* **Sacrificial System:** The need for unblemished animals for sacrifice, often purchased on-site, contributed to the commercial activity in the Temple courts.
* **Profiteering/Exploitation:** The implicit charge against the money-changers and sellers was that they were exploiting the devout pilgrims through inflated prices or excessive exchange rates.
* **Sanctity of Sacred Space:** The core concept that the Temple was God's dwelling place, dedicated to prayer and worship, and thus should be free from profane commercialism.
### Theological Significance
The presence and subsequent expulsion of the κολλυβιστής by Jesus carries profound theological weight.
1. **Jesus' Authority:** His actions demonstrate His divine authority over the Temple, its practices, and even its economic functions. He acts not merely as a prophet, but as the Son of God, exercising judgment over what had become a corrupt system.
2. **Critique of Commercialism in Worship:** The incident serves as a powerful condemnation of allowing financial gain and worldly commerce to overshadow or defile spiritual worship. It highlights the danger of external religious practices losing their internal integrity and becoming vehicles for personal profit.
3. **Redefinition of Sacred Space:** Jesus' declaration that "My house shall be called a house of prayer" (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17) reasserts the primary purpose of the Temple as a place for communion with God, accessible to "all peoples," not a bustling market or a "den of robbers."
4. **Justice and Righteousness:** Jesus' zeal reflects God's demand for justice and righteousness within His worship. The exploitation of the poor or devout pilgrims by the κολλυβιστής was an affront to God's character and His covenant with His people.
5. **True Worship:** The cleansing points towards a worship that is sincere, spiritual, and unhindered by worldly distractions or corrupt practices. It foreshadows the shift from a physical temple to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
### Summary
The term κολλυβιστής `{{G2855}}` refers to the "money-changers" operating within the Jerusalem Temple. These individuals provided a necessary service of currency exchange for pilgrims paying the Temple tax, but their practices, particularly the charging of commissions, contributed to the commercialization of the sacred space. Jesus' forceful overturning of their tables, as recorded in [[Matthew 21:12]] and [[Mark 11:15]], represents a powerful act of divine authority and a prophetic condemnation of the desecration of God's house. The actions of the κολλυβιστής and others turned a "house of prayer" into a "den of robbers," prompting Jesus' righteous indignation and underscoring the theological principle that true worship must be free from exploitation and focused on spiritual devotion rather than worldly gain.
TRV