The synoptic gospels (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46) have
him doing this deed toward the end of his "ministry", shortly befor his
crucifixion.
The gospel of John chapter 2: 14-19), has him doing it (with a whip that he
himself made) at the beginning of his ministry, right after the wedding at
Cana, almost immediately after calling his disciples.
Oh, but let me guess... Jesus "cleansed" the temple twice. I guess that
after the first time the Temple officials didn't figure out that they
shouldn't let this violent whip-wielding maniac near the temple. A maniac
whose fame, according to the NT had spread throughout the country, so that
multitudes welcomed him into Jerusalem and the threatened Jewish religious
leaders were testing him and looking for ways to kill him.
Do I get a brownie-button from the Holy Spirit for rightly "discerning the
word of truth"?