There is no reference to high prices or cheating practices, although the requirement that purchases be in a temple-approved currency may have led to abuses by the money lenders. The location of the market within the temple may have been inappropriate. Yet the money changers and the sellers were providing a needed service. Worship in the temple had to involve animal sacrifices. These animals had to be available locally, since those traveling for several days for the Passover festival in Jerusalem could hardly be expected to bring cattle or sheep with them.
Worship is inclusive.
Although there were a number of apparent exclusions, particularly in the initial establishment of worship in Sinai, later developments moved toward greater and greater inclusion. Perhaps as a result of Isaiah's words, the temple had been expanded to include a large outer court of the Gentiles. Yet it is in this court that we find the money lenders, buyers, and sellers. Although gentiles were not excluded from worship, the intrusion of a market in the court of the Gentiles was corrupting their worship. The inner courts for Jewish men and women did not have such activity.