Luke 19:45

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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};

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:45 records a pivotal moment in Jesus' final week, immediately following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Upon entering the Temple precincts, Jesus confronts and forcefully expels those engaged in commercial activities, specifically the merchants selling sacrificial animals and the money changers. This dramatic act underscores Jesus' divine authority, His zeal for the purity of God's house, and serves as a powerful prophetic indictment against the corruption and exploitation that had defiled the sacred space intended for prayer and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This event is strategically placed in Luke's narrative immediately after Jesus' "Triumphal Entry" into Jerusalem ([Luke 19:28-44](/luke/19-28-44 "Luke 19:28-44 - The Triumphal Entry and Lament over Jerusalem")), where He is hailed as King, and His subsequent lament over the city's impending destruction due to its rejection of God's peace. The cleansing of the Temple, therefore, is not an isolated incident but a direct and authoritative act by the Messiah, demonstrating His kingly prerogative and divine judgment. It sets the stage for the escalating conflict with the Jewish religious authorities that will dominate the remainder of Passion Week, leading directly to His arrest and crucifixion. The verse also precedes Jesus' declaration in [Luke 19:46](/luke/19-46 "Luke 19:46 - My House is a House of Prayer"), which provides the theological justification for His actions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Temple in Jerusalem was the epicenter of Jewish religious, social, and economic life. Within its vast outer court, known as the Court of the Gentiles, a bustling marketplace had developed. Here, merchants sold animals required for sacrifices (doves, sheep, oxen), and money changers converted foreign currency into the specific Temple coinage necessary for the annual Temple tax and offerings. While these services were ostensibly for convenience, they were rife with exploitation. Priestly families often controlled these concessions, charging exorbitant prices for animals deemed "unblemished" and excessive exchange rates for currency, effectively turning a place of worship into a den of profiteering. This commercialization not only exploited the poor but also obstructed the Gentiles, for whom the outer court was the only permitted area of worship, transforming their designated space into a noisy, defiled bazaar.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Authority**, as Jesus acts with an inherent right to purify His Father's house, not as a mere prophet but as the Son of God. His actions are decisive and unyielding, demonstrating His sovereignty over the religious institutions of His day. Secondly, it underscores the **Purity of Worship**, emphasizing God's demand for reverence and sincerity in His presence. The Temple was meant to be a "house of prayer" ([Luke 19:46](/luke/19-46 "Luke 19:46 - My House is a House of Prayer")), not a marketplace. Jesus' zeal reflects the Old Testament prophets' condemnation of corrupt worship ([Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be a House of Prayer") and [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - Den of Robbers")). Finally, it serves as a **Prophetic Condemnation** of a religious system that had become spiritually bankrupt, prioritizing ritual and profit over genuine piety and justice. This act foreshadows the ultimate judgment upon Jerusalem and the Temple itself, which Jesus had lamented just moments before ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **went (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** This verb, meaning "to enter (literally or figuratively)," signifies Jesus' deliberate and purposeful entry into the Temple. It is not a casual stroll but an intentional movement towards a specific action, highlighting His authority and determination to confront the corruption within. His "entering in" is a direct assertion of His right to be there and to act decisively.
* **temple (Greek, _hierón'_):** This term refers to the entire sacred precinct of the Temple, including the outer courts, rather than the central sanctuary (naos). This distinction is crucial because the commercial activities were taking place in the Court of the Gentiles, the very area meant to be accessible to all nations for prayer. Jesus' action, therefore, cleanses the space intended for universal worship, restoring its sacred purpose.
* **cast out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** This powerful verb means "to eject (literally or figuratively)," implying a forceful, decisive expulsion. It is not a gentle request or a polite dismissal but an act of vigorous removal, indicative of Jesus' righteous indignation and unwavering resolve to purify the defiled space. The use of this word emphasizes the intensity and authority of Jesus' action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he went into the temple,"**: This phrase establishes the setting and the immediate context of Jesus' action. His entry is not merely physical but symbolic, as the Messiah enters His Father's house to reclaim and purify it. This act immediately follows His Triumphal Entry, linking His kingly reception with His priestly authority to cleanse.
* **"and began to cast out them that sold therein,"**: This describes the primary target of Jesus' righteous indignation: those who were profiting from the commercialization of worship. The verb "began" suggests a forceful initiation of a process, not a mere suggestion. The act of "casting out" signifies a decisive and authoritative expulsion, demonstrating Jesus' zero-tolerance for the desecration of God's holy space.
* **"and them that bought;"**: By including "them that bought," the verse emphasizes that the corruption was systemic, involving both sides of the illicit transactions. It highlights the complicity of those who participated in the commercial activities, perpetuating the exploitation and defilement of the Temple rather than seeking genuine worship. This indicates a comprehensive cleansing, addressing the entire commercial enterprise.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:45 is rich in **Symbolism**. The Temple itself symbolizes God's dwelling place and the center of Israel's worship. Jesus' cleansing of it is a symbolic act of judgment against a corrupt religious system that had lost its spiritual integrity. It is also a **Prophetic Act**, echoing Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah who would purify the Temple (e.g., [Malachi 3:1-4](/malachi/3-1-4 "Malachi 3:1-4 - The Messenger of the Covenant")). Jesus' actions demonstrate His **Zeal** for God's house, aligning with the psalmist's declaration in [Psalm 69:9](/psalm/69-9 "Psalm 69:9 - For zeal for your house has consumed me"). The forceful expulsion also serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the ultimate destruction of the Temple, a judgment Jesus had just lamented over Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The cleansing of the Temple in Luke 19:45 is a profound theological statement about God's holiness and His demand for true worship. It reveals Jesus' identity not only as a prophet but as the Son of God, exercising divine authority over the very institutions of Israel. This act underscores that genuine worship must be free from exploitation, commercialism, and anything that hinders access to God. It challenges the notion that religious ritual or economic convenience can supersede the sacredness of God's presence and the purity of heart required for true devotion. Jesus' actions serve as a powerful reminder that God desires mercy and justice, not merely sacrifice, and that His house is meant to be a place of prayer for all nations.

* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be a House of Prayer")
* [Malachi 3:1-4](/malachi/3-1-4 "Malachi 3:1-4 - The Messenger of the Covenant")
* [John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:45 calls believers to a profound examination of what constitutes true worship and the sanctity of our spiritual lives. Just as Jesus cleansed the physical Temple, He desires to purify our hearts and lives, which the New Testament identifies as the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). This means diligently removing anything that hinders genuine communion with God—whether it be materialism, self-interest, spiritual apathy, or practices that exploit others. It challenges us to ensure that our churches are places of sincere prayer, teaching, and mission, rather than centers of commercialism or self-serving agendas. Furthermore, it reminds us that our personal lives should reflect reverence for God, prioritizing spiritual growth and acts of justice and mercy over worldly pursuits and compromises. Jesus' zeal for God's house should inspire a similar passion within us for the purity of our own worship and the integrity of the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "merchandise" or distractions might be hindering my personal worship and relationship with God?**
* **How can I actively contribute to making my local church a true "house of prayer" and a sanctuary for all, free from worldly distractions or exploitative practices?**
* **In what ways might I be complicit in systems or attitudes that prioritize profit or convenience over spiritual purity and justice?**

### FAQ

**Was this the only time Jesus cleansed the Temple?**

Answer: The Gospels record two distinct Temple cleansing events. The one in [Luke 19:45](/luke/19-45 "Luke 19:45 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple") (also found in [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple") and [Mark 11:15-17](/mark/11-15-17 "Mark 11:15-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")) occurs during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, just days before His crucifixion. The Gospel of John, however, records an earlier cleansing at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). While some scholars debate if these are two accounts of the same event, the chronological placement in the Gospels strongly suggests two separate incidents. The first cleansing marked the beginning of His public challenge to the religious establishment, while the second, more forceful cleansing, served as a climactic act of judgment and a final prophetic warning before His passion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:45 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ Himself, who is the true Temple and the embodiment of God's presence among humanity. The physical Temple, with its rituals and sacrifices, pointed forward to the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ on the cross ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). By cleansing the Temple, Jesus not only purified a physical space but also demonstrated His authority to purify His people, foreshadowing the new covenant where God's Spirit dwells not in buildings, but in the hearts of believers ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")). His zeal for God's house culminates in His own body being broken and raised again, establishing a new and living way to God ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Destroy This Temple, and I Will Raise It Up")). Thus, Jesus is not merely a reformer of the old system, but the inaugurator of a new spiritual reality, where access to God is no longer through a defiled earthly temple but directly through Him, the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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: