Mark 11:17

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.’”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to the chief priests and scribes in the temple courts, immediately after forbidding anyone to carry merchandise through (v.16). The next verse records their response: they began seeking a way to kill Him.

The words — ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken, "was teaching") and ἔλεγεν (elegen, "was saying") are both imperfect, marking continuous action rather than a single utterance. The double imperfect frames the declaration as part of an extended act of instruction, not a one-time rebuke.

The thread — The verse fuses two prophetic texts: Isaiah 56:7 (house of prayer for all nations) and Jeremiah 7:11 (den of robbers). Luke 19:46 preserves a shorter form, dropping "for all the nations."

Why it lands — The verse is an accusation of conversion: something claimed as holy has been repurposed for another end. It asks the reader to name what they have made of what they claim to keep.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Isaiah 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”
Jeremiah 7:11 Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.
Luke 19:46 He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
John 2:16 To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”
1 Kings 8:41 And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name—
Isaiah 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house.
Hosea 12:7 A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.