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

LUKE 19:45KJV
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Luke 19:45 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:45 mean?

Luke 19:45 describes Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem and starting to drive out the people who were selling and buying goods there. The verse shows Jesus taking direct action against commercial activity happening within the temple area.

In this scene, Jesus himself is the one acting, and the setting is the Jewish temple during a busy festival time. The verse highlights that both sellers and buyers were present, suggesting a marketplace atmosphere inside a place meant for worship. This action sets the stage for Jesus’ strong stance on the purpose of the temple and leads into his further teaching about its true use in the following verses.

The Greek behind Luke 19:45

  • The word for "temple" is ναός (naos), transliterated as "naos," which refers specifically to the sanctuary or the sacred area, not just the outer courts. This emphasizes that the commercial activity had intruded into the holiest part of the temple complex.
  • The verb ἐξέβαλεν (exebalen), transliterated as "exebalen," means "to cast out" or "drive out." The Greek here carries a forceful sense, showing that Jesus’ actions were deliberate and authoritative, not just a mild request.
  • The verbs ἐπρίαζον (eprazon, "sold") and ἠγόραζον (egorazon, "bought") highlight that both those selling and those buying were being driven out, not just the merchants. This points to a broader concern about the entire system of commerce in the temple, not just one group.

Why Luke 19:45 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus opposed not only those selling but also those buying in the temple, showing his concern for the integrity of worship and the temple’s purpose.
  • The action described here connects to Old Testament prophecies about the purity of God’s house, and sets up Jesus’ later explanation that the temple is meant to be a house of prayer.
  • Understanding the setting helps explain why this act was so dramatic and controversial: Jesus was challenging a deeply entrenched practice that many accepted as normal, making a public statement about what true worship should look like.

Where else these words appear

“sold” Greek G4453 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
  • 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;
  • John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

“bought” Greek G59 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  • Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

“temple” Greek G2411 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
  • Luke 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
  • Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

“out” Greek G1544 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
  • Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.