Matthew 21:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} said {G3004} unto them {G846}, It is written {G1125}, My {G3450} house {G3624} shall be called {G2564} the house {G3624} of prayer {G4335}; but {G1161} ye {G5210} have made {G4160} it {G846} a den {G4693} of thieves {G3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, "It has been written, `My house will be called a house of prayer.' But you are making it into a den of robbers!"

Berean Standard Bible

And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

American Standard Version

and he saith unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 21:13, Jesus confronts the corruption within the Temple courts, quoting Old Testament prophets to assert God's original intent for His sacred dwelling. He declares that the Temple, intended as "a house of prayer" for all nations, had been desecrated and transformed into "a den of thieves" by the commercial activities of the moneychangers and merchants. This powerful indictment underscores Jesus' divine authority, His zeal for the purity of worship, and His condemnation of religious exploitation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as described in [Matthew 21:1-11](/matthew/21-1-11 "Matthew 21:1-11 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry"). Having been hailed as King by the crowds, Jesus proceeds directly to the Temple, where His actions demonstrate His authority not only over the city but specifically over the religious institutions. The cleansing of the Temple is a pivotal event, serving as a direct challenge to the established religious leadership and setting the stage for the escalating conflict that will lead to His crucifixion. It is followed by further confrontations with the chief priests and elders, as seen in [Matthew 21:23-27](/matthew/21-23-27 "Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Questioned").
* **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 Empire would come to Jerusalem, especially for Passover. The Temple courts, particularly the Court of the Gentiles, had become a marketplace where sacrificial animals were sold and currency exchanged for Temple coinage. While these services were necessary for pilgrims, they were often exploited by vendors and moneychangers who charged exorbitant rates, turning a profit at the expense of sincere worshipers. This practice, combined with the exclusion of Gentiles from their designated area by these commercial activities, directly contradicted the Temple's intended purpose as a place of prayer for all nations, as prophesied in [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples").
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 21:13 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **Divine Authority**, as Jesus acts with an authority previously only seen in prophets or God Himself, challenging the Temple establishment. It underscores the theme of **Purity of Worship**, emphasizing that God's house is sacred and must not be defiled by greed or exploitation, a principle found throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Leviticus 19:30](/leviticus/19-30 "Leviticus 19:30 - Reverence for God's Sanctuary"). The verse also engages the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus explicitly quotes [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - God's House for All Nations") and [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - Den of Robbers"), demonstrating that His actions are not arbitrary but are a continuation of God's long-standing judgment against spiritual corruption. Finally, it foreshadows Jesus' role as the **True Temple**, where genuine worship and atonement would ultimately be found, a concept developed further in the New Testament, for example, in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **house (Greek, _oîkos'_):** G3624. This term refers to a dwelling, a physical structure, but also, by implication, a family or household. In this context, it specifically denotes the Temple in Jerusalem, understood as God's dwelling place on earth. Jesus' use of "My house" (referencing God's ownership) emphasizes the sacred nature and divine purpose of the Temple, contrasting sharply with its current misuse.
* **prayer (Greek, _proseuchḗ'_):** G4335. Derived from a verb meaning "to pray earnestly," this noun signifies worship, supplication, and direct communication with God. It highlights the Temple's primary function as a place where people could draw near to God through prayer and sacrifice, a universal purpose intended for all nations, not just Israel.
* **thieves (Greek, _lēistḗs'_):** G3027. This word refers to a brigand or robber, someone who plunders or takes by force, often violently. It is a stronger term than a mere "swindler" or "cheater," suggesting a level of organized criminal activity and exploitation. Jesus' use of this term, drawn from Jeremiah, powerfully condemns the deep corruption and predatory practices occurring within the Temple, implying that those operating there were preying on the vulnerable and defiling God's sacred space for personal gain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer;"**: Jesus begins His declaration by invoking prophetic authority, stating "It is written." This phrase signals that His condemnation is rooted in the divine word, specifically quoting [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - The Purpose of God's House"). The first part of the quote, "My house shall be called the house of prayer," reiterates God's original, holy intention for the Temple. It was meant to be a sanctuary, a place of communion with God, and crucially, a place accessible for "all peoples" (as per the full Isaiah verse), emphasizing its universal purpose for worship and intercession.
* **"but ye have made it a den of thieves."**: With a stark "but," Jesus pivots to a direct indictment of those present, particularly the moneychangers and merchants. He quotes [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - The Temple as a Den of Robbers"), a passage where God condemns the people of Judah for treating the Temple as a safe haven for their ill-gotten gains, believing their presence there would protect them from divine judgment. By calling it "a den of thieves," Jesus accuses them of turning a sacred space into a hideout for exploitation and illicit profit, a place where spiritual robbery occurred, rather than spiritual devotion. This phrase captures the profound perversion of the Temple's purpose and the moral bankruptcy of those profiting from it.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 21:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Jesus directly cites two Old Testament prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah. This not only lends immense authority to His words by rooting them in divine revelation but also demonstrates His understanding of and alignment with the prophetic tradition. The use of "It is written" functions as a powerful declaration of scriptural truth. Another key device is **Contrast**, specifically a stark **Juxtaposition**. The pure, divine intention of the Temple as "the house of prayer" is directly contrasted with its corrupted reality as "a den of thieves." This sharp dichotomy highlights the profound spiritual degradation that has occurred. Furthermore, the phrase "den of thieves" is a vivid **Metaphor**, comparing the Temple to a hideout for criminals, effectively conveying the predatory and dishonest nature of the activities taking place within its sacred precincts. This metaphor evokes a strong sense of moral outrage and righteous indignation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:13 is a profound theological statement on the nature of worship, the sanctity of God's presence, and the consequences of spiritual corruption. Jesus' actions and words reveal God's unwavering expectation for purity and devotion in His house, a principle that transcends the physical Temple. It underscores that true worship is not merely ritualistic but must be accompanied by righteousness and integrity. The perversion of the Temple for personal gain represents a deep spiritual betrayal, transforming a place of divine encounter into a center of human greed, thus obstructing the path for both Jew and Gentile to genuinely seek God. This event serves as a prophetic warning against external piety devoid of internal transformation and genuine reverence for God's holiness.

* [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 - The Temple as a Den of Robbers")
* [Mark 11:17](/mark/11-17 "Mark 11:17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Matthew 21:13 offers a timeless and challenging reflection for believers today. It calls us to examine the purity of our own worship, both individually and corporately. Are our hearts and our communal gatherings truly centered on prayer, devotion, and the glory of God, or have they become compromised by self-interest, materialism, or anything that detracts from sincere communion with the Divine? This passage urges us to prioritize spiritual integrity over worldly gain and to ensure that our faith practices are not merely external rituals but expressions of genuine reverence. Just as Jesus had zeal for His Father's house, we are called to cultivate a similar passion for righteousness and holiness in all spheres of our lives, ensuring that our "temples" – our bodies and our churches – reflect God's intended purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, turn our "house of prayer" (whether our personal spiritual life or our corporate church gatherings) into a "den of thieves" through our attitudes, actions, or priorities?**
* **How does Jesus' righteous anger in this passage challenge our understanding of God's character and His expectations for His people?**
* **What practical steps can we take to ensure that our personal lives and our church communities truly embody the spirit of a "house of prayer" for all people?**

### FAQ

**What was Jesus' main reason for cleansing the Temple?**

Answer: Jesus' main reason for cleansing the Temple was to restore its intended purpose as a "house of prayer" and to protest its perversion into a commercial hub driven by greed. He was specifically condemning the exploitative practices of the moneychangers and merchants who were profiting excessively from pilgrims, effectively turning a sacred space into a marketplace that excluded sincere worshipers, particularly Gentiles, from their designated area for prayer. His actions were a powerful prophetic statement against the corruption of religious institutions and a demonstration of His divine authority over them, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies found in passages like [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples") and [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - The Temple as a Den of Robbers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:13, with Jesus' zealous cleansing of the Temple, profoundly points to Christ's ultimate fulfillment as the true and perfect Temple. The physical Temple in Jerusalem, though divinely ordained, was a shadow of the reality to come. Jesus' declaration that "My house shall be called the house of prayer" (from [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples")) underscores God's desire for intimate communion with humanity, a communion that was hindered by the corruption Jesus confronted. By calling it "a den of thieves" (from [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - The Temple as a Den of Robbers")), Jesus highlights the failure of the old covenant system to adequately mediate God's presence due to human sin and exploitation. The true fulfillment comes in Jesus Himself, who declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Speaks of the Temple of His Body")), referring to His own body. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate access point to God, the perfect High Priest, and the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Now, believers, united with Christ, become living stones in a spiritual house, a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), where true worship in spirit and truth is offered, fulfilling the universal call for God's house to be a house of prayer for all nations ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Psalms 93:5

Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

John 15:25

But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Matthew 2:5

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,