Luke 19:46 Meaning and Explanation
“Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →He grounds the cleansing in Scripture: the house of God was meant for prayer, and they have made it a den of thieves.
What Does Luke 19:46 Mean?
Jesus joins two prophets in one sentence. Isaiah had called the temple a house of prayer for all people; Jeremiah, standing at its gate before the first temple fell, asked whether this house had become a den of robbers. And by saying my house, Jesus speaks as the owner come home to it.
A den is not where robbers rob but where they retreat to feel safe. Religion can become exactly that, a shelter for unchanged lives and sharp dealing. The Lord wants his house back for its true work: prayer, the meeting place of God and every seeking soul.
Luke 19:46 in the Original Language
lestes (λῃστής), 'thieves' -- robbers, violent bandits who strike and then retreat to a hideout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 19:46
What does Luke 19:46 mean?
He grounds the cleansing in Scripture: the house of God was meant for prayer, and they have made it a den of thieves.