John 2:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →He commands the dove sellers to leave: his Father's house must not be made a house of trade.
What Does John 2:16 Mean?
Doves were the offering of the poor (Lev. 5:7; Luke 2:24) — Mary herself had brought them at Jesus' own presentation — so even the humblest worshippers were paying toll at the threshold of prayer. And his words carry a startling claim: not the house of God in general, but my Father's house, spoken with a Son's authority in the Father's own courts.
Zeal for God's honor and tenderness toward the poor meet in one command. Whatever crowds out prayer — even useful, profitable, religiously convenient things — has no place in the Father's house. And since believers are themselves called God's temple (1 Cor. 3:16), the cleansing turns personal: Christ would clear from us whatever turns communion with God into commerce.
John 2:16 in the Original Language
emporion (ἐμπόριον), 'merchandise' -- a market or trading house, the source of the English word emporium.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 2:16
What does John 2:16 mean?
He commands the dove sellers to leave: his Father's house must not be made a house of trade.