Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the area those who sold oxen, sheep, doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. 

John 2:13-14

Pious and practicing Jewish people of that time would go to Jerusalem during Passover to celebrate the feast. The population in Jerusalem would swell by tens of thousands of people as pilgrims from all over the surrounding area would come to the Temple to worship God and offer sacrifices. Jesus was one of those people. 

When Jesus arrived, he saw in the outer courts, animals being sold and money-changers exchanging Temple coins for Roman coinage. This part of the Temple was known as the Porch of Solomon, the eastern side of the Court of the Gentiles. It was the only place the Gentiles or non-Jewish people were allowed to go and pray. But they couldn’t pray because of all the buying and selling of goods. The merchants quite simply didn’t belong there. 

What is in your life right now that doesn’t belong? Pray for the grace to spot it or for the humility to listen to others when they challenge you to drive bad things out of your life.