Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (Second Version) | El Greco | 1570

El Greco's Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple depicts the dramatic moment when Christ, overwhelmed with righteous anger, expels merchants and money changers from the sacred temple. The scene captures Christ in the act of raising his hand, a whip in his grasp, as the merchants flee in panic, their overturned tables and scattered belongings adding to the chaos. The painting emphasizes the tension between spiritual purity and material corruption, symbolized by the contrast between Christ’s calm determination and the frantic movements of those he confronts. Interestingly, there are several versions of this painting, each offering slight variations in composition and emphasis, showing El Greco’s ongoing engagement with this powerful theme. Despite its moral significance, the Church has not always embraced such depictions, as they present Christ in a state of visible anger, an emotion that some felt conflicted with the image of his divine compassion and serenity. This duality makes the painting a compelling exploration of justice and human fallibility.