Mark 11:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus teaches from the prophets: God's house was to be called a house of prayer for all nations, but they have made it a den of thieves.
What Does Mark 11:17 Mean?
Jesus joins two prophets in one sentence. 'My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer' is Isaiah 56:7, God's promise that even foreigners would find joy in his house; 'den of thieves' echoes Jeremiah 7:11, spoken against worshipers who treated the first temple as a refuge while practicing wrong.
A den is where robbers retreat to feel safe. The charge is therefore deeper than dishonest commerce: God's house was being used as cover—religion as shelter for unchanged hearts. Against this Jesus sets the design: a house of prayer wide enough for all nations. He himself will become the true meeting place of God and every people (John 2:19-21; Ephesians 2:13-18), and wherever his people gather, prayer—not gain, not show—is still the life of the house.
Mark 11:17 in the Original Language
lestes (λῃστής), 'thief' -- a robber or bandit who takes by violence, not a petty pilferer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 11:17
What does Mark 11:17 mean?
Jesus teaches from the prophets: God's house was to be called a house of prayer for all nations, but they have made it a den of thieves.