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.

MATTHEW 21:13KJV
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Matthew 21:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:13 mean?

Matthew 21:13 describes Jesus telling people in the temple that God’s house is meant to be a place of prayer, but they have turned it into a den of thieves. Jesus is confronting those who are misusing the temple for dishonest gain instead of honoring its true purpose.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to the people selling and exchanging money in the temple courts in Jerusalem. He quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures to show that the temple is supposed to be dedicated to prayer (worship and communication with God), but the current activities have corrupted that purpose. By calling it a "den of thieves," Jesus accuses them of turning a holy place into one marked by greed and wrongdoing.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:13

  • "οἶκος" (oikos, G3624): This word means "house" and refers here to the temple, emphasizing that it is God’s dwelling and should be treated with respect.
  • "προσευχῆς" (proseuchēs, G4335): Translated as "prayer," this word highlights the temple’s intended role as a place for people to seek and communicate with God.
  • "σπήλαιον λῃστῶν" (spēlaion lēstōn, G4693 and G3027): This phrase means "den of thieves." The Greek term for "thieves" often refers to violent robbers, not just petty criminals, suggesting a strong accusation of serious wrongdoing.

Why Matthew 21:13 matters

  • Matthew 21:13 clears up that Jesus is not simply upset about business in the temple, but specifically about dishonest and exploitative practices that betray the temple’s sacred purpose.
  • The verse connects to Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11), showing Jesus’ actions are rooted in Scripture and God’s longstanding expectations for worship.
  • This moment sets the tone for the surrounding passage, where Jesus challenges religious leaders and exposes corruption, making clear that true worship matters more than outward rituals or profit.

Where else these words appear

“den” Greek G4693 · used in 6 verses

  • 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 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 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
  • 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.

“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 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her 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;