Matthew 21:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus declares that God's house is meant to be a house of prayer, but they have turned it into a den of thieves.
What Does Matthew 21:13 Mean?
As He clears the temple, Jesus explains His action with Scripture. Quoting the prophets, He declares that God intended His house to be "the house of prayer," yet it had been made "a den of thieves." His words pronounce both the original purpose and the present failure.
The temple's calling was communion with God through prayer, open to all who would seek Him. To fill it with dishonest gain was to rob it of that purpose and rob the people of access to God. Jesus' rebuke is a call back to first things. Wherever worship is meant to dwell, He desires it to be marked by prayer, sincerity, and reverence rather than self-interest.
Matthew 21:13 in the Original Language
proseuche (προσευχή), 'prayer' -- communion with God, the temple's true purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:13
What does Matthew 21:13 mean?
Jesus declares that God's house is meant to be a house of prayer, but they have turned it into a den of thieves.