The Merchants Expelled from the Temple

5. They  then came to Jerusalem,  and Jesus, having entered the temple, began to expel those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And he allowed no one to carry any wares through the temple. He also taught them, saying: “Is not my house to be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of thieves.” When the chief priests heard this, they sought a means to kill him, for they feared him because all the people were taken by wonder at his doctrine. (Mk. 11:15-18; Mt. 21:12-13)

6. Jesus expelled the merchants from the temple, thereby condemning the selling of holy things under any form whatsoever. God sells neither the divine blessings, forgiveness nor entry into the kingdom of heaven; humans, therefore, have no right to require payment for them.