Luke 19:45

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

And {G2532} he went {G1525} into {G1519} the temple {G2411}, and began {G756} to cast out {G1544} them that sold {G4453} therein {G1722}{G846}, and {G2532} them that bought {G59};

Then Yeshua entered the Temple grounds and began driving out those doing business there,

Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there.

And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold,

Luke 19:45 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry during what is often called Passion Week, just days before His crucifixion. Following His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus immediately asserts His divine authority by entering the Temple courts.

Context

The Temple in Jerusalem was the spiritual center of Jewish life, but by Jesus' time, parts of it had become commercialized. Specifically, in the outer area known as the Court of the Gentiles, merchants sold sacrificial animals (doves, sheep, oxen) and money changers exchanged foreign currency for Temple coinage (required for the annual Temple tax). While these services were ostensibly for convenience, they often involved exorbitant prices and unfair practices, exploiting devout worshippers. Jesus' action of "casting out them that sold therein, and them that bought" was a direct challenge to this corruption and a powerful symbolic act against the desecration of a sacred space.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority: Jesus' actions demonstrate His unique authority not only as a prophet but as the Son of God, capable of purifying His Father's house. He acts decisively, not seeking permission, but exercising inherent right.
  • Purity of Worship: The verse underscores God's desire for His house to be a place of sincere prayer and devotion, free from commercialism and exploitation. Jesus' zeal for God's house is evident here, echoing the sentiment later expressed in Luke 19:46.
  • Prophetic Condemnation: This cleansing was a prophetic act, signaling God's judgment against a religious system that had prioritized profit over piety and tradition over true worship. It foreshadowed the destruction of the Temple itself.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "cast out," ekballein (ἐκβάλλειν), implies a forceful expulsion or throwing out. It's not a gentle request but a decisive, powerful action, indicative of Jesus' indignation at the misuse of the sacred space. The phrase "them that sold therein, and them that bought" emphasizes that the problem was systemic, involving both sides of the commercial transactions that defiled the Temple.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 19:45 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of purity in our own worship and spiritual lives. Just as Jesus cleansed the physical Temple, He calls us to cleanse our hearts and lives of anything that hinders true devotion to God. This includes prioritizing spiritual matters over materialism, avoiding exploitation, and ensuring that our lives reflect reverence for God. As believers, our bodies are considered the temple of the Holy Spirit, and this verse encourages us to maintain that spiritual sanctity, dedicating ourselves wholly to God's purposes rather than worldly pursuits.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 21:12

    ¶ And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

  • Matthew 21:13

    And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

  • Mark 11:15

    And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

  • Mark 11:17

    And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

  • John 2:13

    And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

  • John 2:17

    And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

  • Deuteronomy 14:25

    Then shalt thou turn [it] into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

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