Jesus called them “children” (paidon in Greek and translated as “friends” in NIV) which is a term for little or young children, corresponding to the English “lads”. It is a tender term, denoting His affection for His disciples.

The question Jesus asked is if they had any food. The word He used (prosphagion) refers to anything eaten with bread in an ordinary meal and does not necessarily mean fish, but when addressed to a group of fishermen in their boat on the lake, there is no doubt that He was asking if they had any fish. The question is asked in such a way that it is expecting a negative answer. The disciples probably thought that Jesus was a potential buyer and were disappointed that they had to answer negatively. However, Jesus was not concerned about getting food from them, but instead He was wanting to supply their need. Herein we again see the compassionate concern Jesus has for His children. This is the same concern we should have for each other.

The answer of the disciples was very short and to the point, “No.” This is only natural for they were disappointed and shouting their answer over a hundred yards of water. Note that Jesus already knew their plight and was not seeking information with His question. What He was trying to get was for them to acknowledge their need to Him. Why, do you think? Does He still do this today?

It was necessary for every male Israelite 20 years of age or older to pay the Temple tax which was a half of a Temple shekel. The tax could only be paid in Temple shekels since all foreign money was defiled and unsuitable for giving to God, but the moneychangers charged an exorbitant rate for their services. They charged 1/12 of a shekel for each 1/2 shekel they exchanged and another 1/12 if a larger coin was used.

The selling of sacrificial animals could have been a nice convenience if it had not turned into an exploitive racket. The animals had to pass inspection as being without blemish or defect and any animals brought into the Temple from outside were unlikely to pass, since the inspectors were on the take. A pair of doves could cost up to 19 times as much inside the Temple as a pair bought from a market vendor outside. Since there were sometimes as many as 2,250,000 Jews attending the Passover, the sum of money involved is astronomical. However, this was not the reason Jesus cleansed the Temple at thiat particular time.

There were 2 Temple cleansings: this one at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus and the one recorded in Mark 11:15-17 and in Matt. 21:12f and Luke 19:45f at the end of His ministry.  This is the first public action of Jesus and the other Temple cleansing is the last.  In Mark the traders are called robbers “but here the objection is not to their dishonesty, but to their presence.  Jesus is objecting to the practice, and not merely to the way it is conducted.”  (Morris 195)

Mark 11:15-17  On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers’.”

Making a whip indicates predetermined action.  Jesus did not drive out the moneychangers in an uncontrollable fit of rage; He determined the action He was going to take and carried out those steps necessary to accomplish His goals.

Matthew Henry observes that “He never used force to drive any into the temple, but only to drive those out that profaned it.”