The jerusalem temple was considered corrupt by the

Pharisees

In the Early First Century

Answer: Pharisees

Explanation: When it comes to corruption in the Temple of Jerusalem, we are referring mainly to second temple completed just before the birth of Christ or before AD. According to Jewish law, although there were several interpretations, during certain religious holidays, cleansing in the form of non-contact with the dead and all other forms of restraint and hygiene had to be carried out in order to sacrifice some of the animals and thus wash away sins. This sacrifice may have been in the form of some agricultural offering or fruit, but the sacrifice must have taken place in the temple, more specifically, the priest would offer the sacrifice of the believer to God, and thus mediate the cleansing and forgiveness of sins.

What made Christ himself angry about the merchants in the temple when he turned the tables and said that they made a robbery cave out of holy temple and place of residence of His Father. The merchants had a kind of deal with the Pharisees, with a certain commission, to sell all the animals and offerings and fruits in the temple, to all those who lived far away, thus facilitating their journey from remote parts of Israel to Jerusalem. In this way, believers living far away would only bring with them money during the holidays and coming to the temple, and would buy a sacrifice there in the temple, for worship. This is precisely contrary to Jewish law, because each of their own offering, their own animal, were to make a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, not to buy in the temple. That is why the temple is full of merchants and should not be so.