Luke 19:46 – “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the merchants and money changers in the temple after driving them out. His words come from a combination of two Old Testament scriptures: Isaiah 56:7, which declares that the temple should be a “house of prayer,” and Jeremiah 7:11, which warns against making God’s house a “den of robbers.” Jesus is confronting the corruption and greed that have taken over the temple and calling the people back to the original purpose of God’s house.
The temple was meant to be a place where people could come to worship, pray, and encounter God. However, the merchants and money changers had turned it into a place of business, exploiting worshippers for financial gain. By quoting these scriptures, Jesus highlights the seriousness of their actions—they are not just running a business; they are desecrating something holy and dishonoring God. His rebuke is a call to repentance and a reminder of the sacredness of true worship.
Historical Context
The temple in Jerusalem was the most important place of worship for the Jewish people. It was where sacrifices were made and where people came to seek God’s presence. The outer area of the temple, known as the Court of the Gentiles, was specifically designed to allow non-Jews to come and pray. However, this sacred space had been overrun by merchants selling animals for sacrifices and money changers exchanging foreign currency.
While buying and selling animals for sacrifices was necessary, the problem was that the merchants were charging excessive prices, and the religious leaders allowed it—likely because they were profiting from it. The temple, which was supposed to be a place where people could draw near to God, had become a place where they were being cheated and taken advantage of.
By quoting Isaiah 56:7, Jesus reminds the people that God’s intention was for the temple to be a place of prayer for all nations, not a marketplace. By referencing Jeremiah 7:11, He is warning that the temple has become corrupted, just as it had been in Jeremiah’s time when the people’s religious practices had become empty rituals. The judgment that fell on the temple in Jeremiah’s day serves as a warning of what could happen again if they do not repent.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of purity in worship and the danger of allowing worldly concerns to corrupt what is sacred. The temple was meant to be a place where people could meet with God, but it had become a place of greed and exploitation. Jesus’ actions remind us that worship should be about honoring God, not about personal gain or external rituals. John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The phrase “a house of prayer” emphasizes that worship is meant to be a genuine connection with God, rooted in prayer, humility, and reverence. When worship becomes focused on external actions or material concerns, it loses its true purpose. The merchants and religious leaders were more concerned with profit than with helping people draw closer to God, showing that their hearts were far from Him. Isaiah 29:13 warns about this attitude: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Jesus’ condemnation of the temple as a “den of robbers” also points to God’s concern for justice. The religious leaders had allowed a system of exploitation to flourish, making it difficult for people—especially the poor—to worship freely. God’s house is meant to be a place of welcome, prayer, and restoration, not a place where people are taken advantage of.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s presentation of Jesus’ words is straightforward and direct, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. By quoting the Old Testament, Jesus connects the present corruption of the temple to the past warnings of the prophets, showing that this is not a new problem. The use of the phrases “house of prayer” and “den of robbers” creates a sharp contrast between what the temple is supposed to be and what it has become.
The structure of the verse highlights Jesus’ authority as the one who can rightfully interpret Scripture and apply it to the current situation. His use of “It is written” emphasizes that His actions are not impulsive or arbitrary—they are rooted in God’s Word. Luke’s Gospel often shows Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and this verse is another example of that theme.
Biblical Cross-References
- Isaiah 56:7 – “For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” This verse emphasizes that God’s house is meant to be a place of worship and prayer for everyone, not just a select few.
- Jeremiah 7:11 – “Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!” This verse warns of the consequences of turning God’s house into a place of corruption.
- Malachi 3:1-3 – This passage describes the coming of the Lord to His temple to purify and cleanse it, a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus’ actions.
- Matthew 21:12-13 – Another account of Jesus cleansing the temple, highlighting His authority to correct what is wrong.
- John 2:13-17 – In John’s account of the temple cleansing, Jesus says, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that worship should be focused on God, not on external rituals or personal gain. Just as the temple was corrupted by greed and exploitation, we too can allow distractions, sin, or selfish motives to interfere with our worship. True worship comes from a heart that is fully devoted to God and seeks to honor Him in spirit and truth. Romans 12:1 says, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
This verse also challenges us to examine our motives when we participate in religious activities. Are we going to church, praying, or serving others with a genuine desire to glorify God, or are we doing it for personal recognition, tradition, or social acceptance? Jesus’ cleansing of the temple reminds us that God sees the heart and desires sincere, authentic worship.
Additionally, this verse calls us to fight against injustice and corruption within the church and society. Just as Jesus confronted the exploitation in the temple, we are called to stand against practices that harm others or dishonor God. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in Jesus’ desire to restore the temple to its intended purpose. His actions may seem harsh, but they come from a place of love and a desire for people to experience true worship. God’s love is not passive—it is active, seeking to correct what is wrong and bring people back to Him. Hebrews 12:6 says, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.”
God’s love is also evident in His desire to make worship accessible to everyone. By quoting Isaiah 56:7, Jesus emphasizes that the temple was meant to be a place of prayer for all nations. God’s love is inclusive, and His desire is for all people to know Him and experience His presence.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights Jesus’ authority as the Son of God and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. His actions in the temple demonstrate that He has the right to cleanse and purify God’s house, pointing to His role as the one who brings spiritual renewal. Just as He cleansed the temple, He came to cleanse people’s hearts and offer salvation through His death and resurrection.
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple also foreshadows His greater mission of purifying His followers. Titus 2:14 says that Jesus “gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own.” His mission is not just to correct external behavior but to transform hearts and lives.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of worshiping God with a pure heart?
- Are there any distractions, sins, or worldly concerns that are hindering your worship?
- How can you ensure that your worship is sincere and focused on God, not on external rituals or personal gain?
- What does Jesus’ confrontation with the temple merchants teach you about standing against injustice and corruption?
- How can you help others approach worship with sincerity and reverence, both inside and outside of church?
This verse challenges us to take worship seriously and to remove anything that distracts us from honoring God. Jesus’ actions remind us that worship is sacred and should be marked by reverence, sincerity, and a heart that is fully devoted to Him.