The photo is of the Herodian shops in the Southern wall, Jerusalem. The structure, excavated recently in the southwest side of the old city, was a base of a staircase and bridge that let the pilgrims above the paved street (seen on the left side) and into the temple. Behind those ancient doors were shops that sold merchandise to the visitors of the temple, including the money changers.

   The money changers sold the temple tax, the half-shekel, since the custom was that all visitors were to pay their tribute in the official Jewish coin, and had to buy it from them. Jesus was angered about the commercialization of the house of God and drove the merchants away. This may have actually happened in the Herodian street above.

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