LUK 19:45-48

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

45Entering the temple courts, he began driving out those who were selling, [19:46] saying to them, "It is written: 'My house will be a house of prayer' — but you have made it a den of violent robbers." [19:47] He was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, [19:48] yet they could not find what they might do, for all the people were hanging on him, listening intently.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, the Jerusalem Temple was the central religious, economic, and political institution for Jews. It functioned not only as a place of worship but also as a hub for commerce, particularly during pilgrimage festivals. The selling of animals for sacrifice and the exchange of Roman currency for Temple shekels were necessary for the Temple’s operation, but these activities often exploited the poor. Jesus’ action of driving out the sellers and buyers directly challenged this system, invoking Isaiah 56:7 to declare the Temple’s intended purpose as a 'house of prayer.' His accusation that it had become a 'den of robbers' likely resonated with the common people, who viewed the Temple elite as corrupt and oppressive. The chief priests and scribes, who derived authority and income from the Temple, saw Jesus as a threat to their power. Meanwhile, the people’s intense 'hanging on' His words reflects their hope for liberation from both Roman and Temple oppression.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

LUK 19:45

KJV: And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
BSB: Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there.
Koinōnos: Entering the temple courts, he began driving out those who were selling,

LUK 19:46

KJV: Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
BSB: He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Koinōnos: saying to them, "It is written: 'My house will be a house of prayer' — but you have made it a den of violent robbers.

LUK 19:47

KJV: And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
BSB: Jesus was teaching at the temple every day, but the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people were intent on killing Him.
Koinōnos: He was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him,

LUK 19:48

KJV: And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
BSB: Yet they could not find a way to do so, because all the people hung on His words.
Koinōnos: yet they could not find what they might do, for all the people were hanging on him, listening intently.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

LUK 19:46

of prayer’;:The word translated 'prayer' here refers to a place specifically designated for prayer and worship, often implying a sanctuary or a house of God.
of robbers.’:The term translated 'robbers' often referred to violent bandits or insurgents, not just common thieves, suggesting a more aggressive and disruptive presence.

LUK 19:47

chief priests:The 'chief priests' were not just the high priest, but a powerful aristocratic group of leading priests, often from influential families, who held significant religious and political authority.

LUK 19:48

were hanging on:The phrase 'were hanging on' conveys a sense of intense, almost desperate attachment and close attention, as if the people were clinging to Jesus' every word.