Mark 11:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he taught {G1321}, saying {G3004} unto them {G846}, Is it {G1125} not {G3756} written {G1125},{G3754} My {G3450} house {G3624} shall be called {G2564} of all {G3956} nations {G1484} the house {G3624} of prayer {G4335}? but {G1161} ye {G5210} have made {G4160} it {G846} a den {G4693} of thieves {G3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, as he taught them, he said, "Isn't it written in the Tanakh, My house will be called a house of prayer for all the Goyimp But you have made it into a den of robbers!"

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:17 captures Jesus' forceful denunciation of the commercialization and corruption within the Jerusalem Temple, a pivotal moment demonstrating His divine authority and zeal for the sanctity of God's house. By quoting Old Testament prophecies, Jesus reasserts the Temple's intended purpose as a universal house of prayer for all nations, contrasting it sharply with the exploitative practices that had transformed it into a "den of thieves." This act serves as a powerful prophetic sign, challenging the religious establishment and foreshadowing the radical redefinition of worship under the New Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, an event that publicly declared His messianic claims ([Mark 11:1-11](/mark/11-1-11 "Mark 11:1-11 - The Triumphal Entry")). Following this, Jesus inspects the Temple but does not act on the first day ([Mark 11:11](/mark/11-11 "Mark 11:11 - Jesus Enters the Temple")). The next day, after cursing a fig tree as a symbolic act of judgment against unfruitful Israel ([Mark 11:12-14](/mark/11-12-14 "Mark 11:12-14 - The Cursing of the Fig Tree")), Jesus returns to the Temple. It is then that He actively cleanses it, overturning tables and driving out merchants and money changers ([Mark 11:15-16](/mark/11-15-16 "Mark 11:15-16 - The Cleansing of the Temple")). Mark 11:17 provides Jesus' theological justification for His dramatic actions, framing them within the prophetic tradition and divine intention for the Temple. The subsequent narrative details the astonishment and opposition from the chief priests and scribes ([Mark 11:18](/mark/11-18 "Mark 11:18 - Religious Leaders Plot Against Jesus")), highlighting the direct challenge Jesus posed to their authority and practices.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Second Temple, rebuilt after the Babylonian exile and significantly expanded by Herod the Great, was the center of Jewish religious life. Pilgrims from all over the Roman world would come to Jerusalem, especially for Passover. For sacrifices, they needed unblemished animals, and for the Temple tax, they needed specific Tyrian coinage, which was considered pure. This led to a bustling marketplace within the Temple courts, particularly in the Court of the Gentiles, where merchants sold animals and money changers converted foreign currency. While these services were necessary, they had become rife with exploitation. Priests often colluded with vendors, charging exorbitant prices for animals and unfair exchange rates, turning a profit at the expense of sincere worshippers. This commercial activity, especially in the only area accessible to Gentiles, obstructed their access to prayer and worship, violating the inclusive spirit of the Temple's purpose.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 11:17 powerfully contributes to several key themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores Jesus' **divine authority** and **zeal for God's holiness**, as He takes direct action to purify His Father's house, acting as more than just a prophet but as one with inherent power over the sacred space. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **true worship versus corrupted ritual**, contrasting genuine devotion with external performance and financial exploitation. The Temple, meant to facilitate communion with God, had become a barrier. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **God's universal plan of salvation**, as Jesus quotes Isaiah to stress that the Temple was intended to be a "house of prayer for all nations," not just for Jews. This foreshadows the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile in the new covenant, a theme prominent in the early church's mission. Finally, Jesus' condemnation of the Temple's corruption as a "den of thieves" echoes Old Testament prophetic critiques of religious hypocrisy and injustice, aligning Jesus with the long line of prophets who called Israel to repentance, particularly seen in [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **taught (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This verb signifies instruction, to teach in a broad application. Jesus' actions in the Temple were not merely a display of anger but a didactic act, a powerful lesson delivered through both word and deed. He was teaching them, through this dramatic demonstration, the true nature and purpose of God's house and the corruption that had defiled it.
* **nations (Greek, _éthnos'_):** This word refers to a race, a tribe, or specifically, a foreign, non-Jewish people, often implying pagan nations. By quoting Isaiah 56:7, Jesus emphasizes God's original intention for the Temple to be a place of prayer and worship accessible to *all* peoples, not exclusively for the Jewish community. The commercial activity in the Court of the Gentiles directly hindered this universal access.
* **thieves (Greek, _lēistḗs'_):** This term denotes a brigand or robber, someone who plunders. Jesus' use of this word, drawn from Jeremiah 7:11, is a severe indictment. It implies that those engaged in the Temple commerce were not merely conducting business poorly, but were actively exploiting and defrauding worshippers, essentially robbing them under the guise of religious service, and then using the Temple as a supposed sanctuary from divine judgment for their illicit gains.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he taught, saying unto them":** This opening clause establishes Jesus' authoritative posture. His actions in the Temple are not random outbursts but deliberate, divinely inspired teachings. He is actively instructing the people and the religious leaders about the true nature of worship and the sanctity of God's house, using both His physical actions and His spoken words as a powerful lesson.
* **"Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?":** Jesus appeals to the authority of Scripture, specifically quoting Isaiah 56:7. This rhetorical question implies that the answer should be obvious to those familiar with the Law and Prophets. The Temple's fundamental purpose, as ordained by God, was to be a place of prayer, open and accessible to *all* peoples, including Gentiles, fostering a universal communion with God. The commercial activities, especially in the Court of the Gentiles, directly violated this divine intention.
* **"but ye have made it a den of thieves.":** This is Jesus' scathing indictment, drawn from Jeremiah 7:11. The conjunction "but" (Greek, _dé'_) highlights the stark contrast between God's intention and their perversion. A "den of thieves" implies a place where robbers gather after committing their crimes, believing themselves safe from justice. Jesus accuses the Temple authorities and merchants of turning God's sacred space into a hideout for their dishonest and exploitative practices, suggesting they believed their religious rituals would somehow protect them from the consequences of their unrighteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 11:17 is rich in literary devices that amplify Jesus' message. The most prominent is **Allusion** and **Quotation**, as Jesus directly quotes two significant Old Testament passages: [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 Thieves"). These allusions serve to ground Jesus' actions in prophetic tradition, demonstrating that His zeal is not arbitrary but rooted in God's long-standing covenantal expectations. The use of **Contrast** is also central, juxtaposing God's intended purpose for the Temple ("house of prayer for all nations") with the corrupt reality ("den of thieves"). This stark opposition highlights the severity of the desecration. Furthermore, the phrase "den of thieves" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, portraying the Temple not as a place of refuge for the righteous, but as a sanctuary for the unrighteous, where exploitation and greed are harbored under the cloak of piety. This metaphor carries a strong sense of **Irony**, as the very place meant for holiness and justice had become a haven for injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 11:17 stands as a powerful theological statement about the nature of true worship, the sanctity of sacred space, and God's universal redemptive plan. Jesus' actions and words reveal that God prioritizes genuine devotion, justice, and accessibility over mere ritualistic performance or commercial gain. The Temple, intended to be a beacon for all humanity to seek God through prayer, had become a barrier, symbolizing the spiritual blindness and corruption of the religious leadership. This event underscores that God's house is not a place for personal enrichment or exploitation, but a sanctuary where all people, regardless of their background, can draw near to Him in sincere prayer and worship. It foreshadows the coming new covenant where access to God is not confined to a physical structure but is open to all who believe.

* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples")
* [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - Den of Robbers")
* [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Mark 11:17 serves as a perpetual challenge to believers and religious institutions across all generations. It compels us to rigorously examine our own hearts and the practices within our faith communities, ensuring that our worship remains pure, our motives are righteous, and our spaces are truly welcoming and conducive to genuine prayer for all people. This passage reminds us that God is deeply concerned with justice and integrity, especially within the confines of what is called "His house." We are called to reject any form of exploitation, greed, or self-serving activity that might hinder others from encountering God or distort the true purpose of worship. Our spiritual "temples," both individual and corporate, must be places of sincere devotion, ethical conduct, and open access to God's presence, rather than havens for compromise or self-interest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my faith community, inadvertently turn a "house of prayer" into something less than God intends?**
* **How can I ensure my personal worship and spiritual practices are focused purely on God, free from self-interest or external distractions?**
* **What practical steps can be taken to make our church or spiritual gatherings more genuinely welcoming and accessible to "all nations" for prayer and spiritual encounter?**
* **Where in my life or in the church do I see a need for "cleansing" or a return to God's original, pure intention?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus get so angry and overturn tables in the Temple?**

Answer: Jesus' actions were not a loss of temper but a deliberate, prophetic act of divine judgment and teaching. He was demonstrating His authority as the Son of God and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning the purification of the Temple (e.g., [Malachi 3:1-3](/malachi/3-1-3 "Malachi 3:1-3 - The Messenger of the Covenant")). His anger stemmed from a righteous zeal for God's holiness and a deep concern for the integrity of worship. The commercial activities, particularly the exploitative practices of the money changers and merchants, had desecrated the sacred space, especially the Court of the Gentiles, which was meant for all nations to pray. By calling it a "den of thieves," Jesus condemned the corruption and injustice that had replaced sincere devotion, thus necessitating His dramatic intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 11:17, with Jesus' zealous cleansing of the Temple, profoundly points to His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus' declaration that "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer" is not merely a call to reform a physical structure, but a prophetic announcement of a new era of worship centered on Himself. He is the true Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, as foreshadowed in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of the Temple of His Body"). The physical Temple, with its sacrificial system, was a temporary shadow, and its corruption underscored its impending obsolescence. By condemning the Temple's commercialization and exclusion of Gentiles, Jesus anticipates the tearing of the Temple veil at His crucifixion ([Mark 15:38](/mark/15-38 "Mark 15:38 - The Veil Torn")), signifying open access to God for all through His atoning sacrifice. In Christ, the barriers between Jew and Gentile are broken down ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), and true worship is no longer confined to a physical building in Jerusalem but occurs "in spirit and truth" through Him ([John 4:21-24](/john/4-21-24 "John 4:21-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Thus, Jesus' actions in Mark 11:17 are a powerful declaration that He is inaugurating the new covenant, where He Himself is the universal "house of prayer" for all nations, through whom all may draw near to 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

Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Jeremiah 7:11

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.

Luke 19:46

Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

John 2:16

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

1 Kings 8:41

Moreover concerning a stranger, that [is] not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;

1 Kings 8:48

And [so] return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

Hosea 12:7

¶ [He is] a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.