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

LUKE 19:46KJV
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Luke 19:46 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:46 mean?

Luke 19:46 records Jesus saying that the temple should be a place for prayer, but instead, people have turned it into a hideout for thieves. Jesus is confronting those who are misusing the temple for dishonest gain rather than honoring its true purpose.

Jesus speaks these words while driving out merchants and money changers from the temple in Jerusalem. He is quoting from the Jewish Scriptures to remind the people that God's house is meant for worship and prayer, not for personal profit. This moment shows Jesus' deep concern for the integrity and holiness of the temple, challenging those who have corrupted it.

The Greek behind Luke 19:46

  • "οἶκος" (oikos, G3624): This word means "house" and refers specifically to the temple as God's dwelling place. Jesus emphasizes that the temple is not just any building, but God's own house.
  • "προσευχή" (proseuchē, G4335): This word means "prayer." By using it, Jesus highlights that the temple's central purpose is for people to connect with God, not for business or exploitation.
  • "σπήλαιον" (spēlaion, G4693): This word means "den" or "cave," often understood as a secret hideout. Jesus is accusing the merchants of turning the temple into a place where wrongdoers gather, rather than a place of openness and worship.
  • "λῃστής" (lēstēs, G3027): This word means "thief" or "robber," and it often refers to violent or unscrupulous people. Jesus is not just calling out petty theft, but a deeper corruption and abuse of sacred space.

Why Luke 19:46 matters

  • Luke 19:46 clears up the misunderstanding that the temple was simply a marketplace; Jesus insists it is meant for prayer and worship.
  • The verse highlights Jesus' authority to challenge religious practices that stray from their intended purpose, showing his concern for genuine faith.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of Jesus' final days in Jerusalem, setting the stage for his conflict with religious leaders and his passion for restoring true worship.

Where else these words appear

“den” Greek G4693 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 21:13 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.
  • 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.
  • Hebrews 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

“thieves” Greek G3027 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:13 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.
  • 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.
  • Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

“prayer” Greek G4335 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
  • Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
  • Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

“house” Greek G3624 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
  • Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;