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.

MARK 11:17KJV
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Mark 11:17 (KJV)

What does Mark 11:17 mean?

Mark 11:17 records Jesus teaching in the temple, quoting Scripture to say that God's house is meant to be a place of prayer for all nations, but accusing those present of turning it into a den of thieves. Jesus is confronting the misuse and corruption happening in the temple, highlighting that it was meant for worship and openness to everyone, not for dishonest gain.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to people in the Jerusalem temple after driving out those buying and selling there. By referencing Scripture, Jesus reminds the crowd of God's original purpose for the temple—a welcoming place for prayer by all peoples. His strong words about a "den of thieves" point to the injustice and exploitation he saw among the temple merchants and leaders.

The Greek behind Mark 11:17

  • "οἶκος" (oikos, "house"): This word refers to the temple as God's dwelling place, emphasizing its sacred purpose rather than just a physical building.
  • "προσευχῆς" (proseuchēs, "prayer"): The Greek term highlights the temple's intended use as a place for genuine communication with God, not commercial activity.
  • "ἐθνῶν" (ethnōn, "nations"): This word means all peoples or ethnic groups, underscoring that the temple was meant to be inclusive, not just for one group.
  • "σπήλαιον λῃστῶν" (spēlaion lēstōn, "den of thieves"): This phrase paints a vivid picture of the temple being misused as a hideout for those who profit dishonestly, not as a sanctuary.

Why Mark 11:17 matters

  • Mark 11:17 clarifies that Jesus saw the temple as a place meant for everyone, not just for one nation or group, challenging any sense of exclusivity.
  • The verse exposes the seriousness of corrupt practices in religious spaces, showing that Jesus cared deeply about justice and integrity in worship.
  • By quoting Scripture, Jesus connects his actions to the broader story of God's intentions for his people, helping readers see the continuity between Jesus' teaching and the Hebrew Scriptures.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
  • 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.

“taught” Greek G1321 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
  • Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.