Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies deepens our comprehension of the New Testament’s message and its cultural and historical context. The Greek word κολλυβιστής (kollubistēs) appears first in Matthew 21:12, where it refers to the “money changers” whom Jesus drove out of the temple. This word is significant because it reflects the socio-economic practices within the temple courts and highlights the tension between religious practices and commercial activities. By understanding the role of the kollubistēs, we gain insights into the criticism Jesus had against the commercialization of sacred spaces and its implications for interpreting the New Testament.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: κολλυβιστής, transliterated as kollubistēs [kol-loo-bees-TACE].

Etymology: The word kollubistēs derives from the Greek noun κόλλυβος (kollubos), which means “a small coin.” The suffix -ιστής (-istēs) is an agent noun ending, indicating a person involved in a particular trade or profession. Thus, kollubistēs literally means “a small coin dealer” or “money changer.”

Part of Speech: Noun, masculine. As a masculine noun, it follows the first declension pattern in Greek grammar. It refers to a person who exchanges money, particularly within the context of the temple courts, where money changers operated to convert various currencies into the temple currency required for offerings and sacrifices.

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Defining Meanings

1. Money Changer: The primary meaning of kollubistēs is “money changer,” someone who exchanges one type of currency for another. This role was especially important in ancient Jerusalem’s temple, where pilgrims from different regions would come to worship and needed to convert their foreign currency to the local currency for transactions.
2. Trader or Exchanger of Small Coins: A secondary meaning is “a trader or exchanger of small coins,” emphasizing the practical aspect of converting smaller denominations of currency for use in temple offerings or daily transactions.

Exploring Similar Words

1. τραπεζίτης (trapezites) [tra-peh-ZEE-tace]: Refers to a “banker” or “money lender.” Unlike kollubistēs, which focuses on currency exchange, trapezites denotes a person who manages larger financial transactions and lends money at interest.
2. ἑρμόδωρος (hermodōros) [her-MO-do-ros]: Refers to a “merchant” or “trader,” but it lacks the specific focus on money changing that kollubistēs has. This term broadly applies to those involved in buying and selling goods.
3. ἑμπόριος (emporios) [em-PO-ree-os]: A “merchant” or “trader,” often involved in international trade. While similar in commerce, emporios typically refers to larger-scale trading activities rather than the specific task of currency exchange.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: Kollubistēs is a masculine noun in the first declension. Here is its declension table:

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The term kollubistēs has been the subject of various lexicons, reflecting both its literal and metaphorical connotations in the New Testament. In the literal sense, kollubistēs is used to describe money changers who were known for exchanging foreign currencies into acceptable temple currency. In the New Testament context, the term also carries a negative connotation, often associated with greed and exploitation, particularly in the passages describing Jesus driving them out of the temple. Theologically, the term suggests the corruption that had infiltrated the religious establishment, prompting Jesus’ prophetic action against such practices. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. 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 [κολλυβιστῶν] and the seats of those who sold pigeons.”
2. Mark 11:15: “And they came to Jerusalem. 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 [κολλυβιστῶν] and the seats of those who sold pigeons.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The word kollubistēs plays a pivotal role in understanding the social and religious dynamics of the New Testament era. As money changers, the kollubistēs were integral to temple operations, yet they became symbolic of the corrupt practices that could infiltrate religious institutions. Theological reflection on this word reveals Jesus’ critique of turning sacred spaces into centers of commerce, challenging readers to consider the purity of their worship practices and the dangers of prioritizing profit over piety.

Did You Know?

1. The money changers, or kollubistēs, were necessary for temple activities, as Roman and foreign coins were considered impure for offerings, necessitating the exchange for temple shekels.
2. Some scholars believe that the anger of Jesus towards the kollubistēs was due not only to their presence in the temple but also to their practice of charging unfair exchange rates.
3. The physical act of overturning the tables of the kollubistēs in the temple is considered one of the most direct actions Jesus took against institutional corruption.