New International Version And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” New Living Translation He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” English Standard Version And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Berean Standard Bible Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Berean Literal Bible And He was teaching and was saying to them, “Has it not been written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you⁺ have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” New American Standard Bible And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written: ‘MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a DEN OF ROBBERS.” NASB 1995 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS ‘? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” NASB 1977 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” Legacy Standard Bible And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” Amplified Bible He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” Berean Annotated Bible Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations <Isa 56:7>’ But you⁺ have made it ‘a den of robbers <Jer 7:11>.’ Christian Standard Bible He was teaching them: “Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then He began to teach them: “Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves!” American Standard Version And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers. Contemporary English Version Then he taught the people and said, "The Scriptures say, 'My house should be called a place of worship for all nations.' But you have made it a place where robbers hide!" English Revised Version And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then he taught them by saying, "Scripture says, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a gathering place for thieves." Good News Translation He then taught the people: "It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.' But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!" International Standard Version Then he began to teach them: "It is written, is it not, 'My house is to be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you've turned it into a hideout for bandits!" NET Bible Then he began to teach them and said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have turned it into a den of robbers!" New Heart English Bible He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers." Webster's Bible Translation And he taught, saying to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called by all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Weymouth New Testament And He remonstrated with them. "Is it not written," He said, "'My House shall be called The House of Prayer for all the nations?' But you have made it what it now is--a robbers' cave." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” World English Bible He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’ But you have made it a den of robbers!” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand He was teaching, saying to them, “Has it not been written: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations? And you made it a den of robbers!” Berean Literal Bible And He was teaching and was saying to them, “Has it not been written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you⁺ have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Young's Literal Translation and he was teaching, saying to them, 'Hath it not been written -- My house a house of prayer shall be called for all the nations, and ye did make it a den of robbers?' Smith's Literal Translation And he taught, saying to them, Has it not been written, That my house shall be called the house of prayer to all nations? and ye made it a den of robbers. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he taught, saying to them: Is it not written, My house shall be called the house of prayer to all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves. Catholic Public Domain Version And he taught them, saying: “Is it not written: ‘For my house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it into a den of robbers.” New American Bible Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.” New Revised Standard Version He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he taught them and said to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called the house of prayer for all the peoples? But you have made it a bandits’ cave. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And he taught and he said to them, “Is it not written: 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he taught, saying to them: Is it not written, My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers. Godbey New Testament And He was teaching, saying to them, Haweis New Testament And he taught them, saying, Is it not written, that “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?” but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mace New Testament at the same time he explained himself to them in these words, is it not written, "my house shall be called a house of prayer to all nations?" but ye have made it a harbour for thieves. Weymouth New Testament And He remonstrated with them. "Is it not written," He said, "'My House shall be called The House of Prayer for all the nations?' But you have made it what it now is--a robbers' cave." Worrell New Testament And He was teaching, and said to them, Worsley New Testament And He taught them, saying, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Jesus Cleanses the Temple…16And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “ Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18When the chief priests and scribes heard this, they looked for a way to kill Him. For they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.… Cross References Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, John 7:14 About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. Matthew 21:23 When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” Luke 19:47 Jesus was teaching at the temple every day, but the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people were intent on killing Him. “Is it not written: Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Luke 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” John 10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? Isaiah 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” 1 Kings 8:41-43 And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name. Zechariah 8:20-23 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities— / and the residents of one city will go to another, saying: ‘Let us go at once to plead before the LORD and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I myself am going.’ / And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.” … But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Jeremiah 7:11 Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD. Matthew 21:13 And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Luke 19:46 He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” John 2:14-16 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. / So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. / To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!” Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. Psalm 69:9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. Acts 7:48-50 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’ Treasury of Scripture And he taught, saying to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but you have made it a den of thieves. Is it. 1 Kings 8:41-48 Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake; … Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. of all nations the house of prayer. Jeremiah 7:11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. Hosea 12:7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. Jump to Previous Cave Den Hole House Nations Prayer Remonstrated Robbers Taught Teach Teaching Thieves Writings WrittenJump to Next Cave Den Hole House Nations Prayer Remonstrated Robbers Taught Teach Teaching Thieves Writings WrittenMark 11 1. Jesus rides with triumph into Jerusalem;12. curses the fruitless fig tree; 15. purges the temple; 20. exhorts his disciples to steadfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies; 27. and defends his actions by the witness of John, who was a man sent of God. Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, Jesus publicly explained the meaning of His actions in the temple courts. As the rightful Lord of the temple, He confronted worship that had been corrupted by those responsible for guarding its holiness. Jhn 7:14 About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up… “Is it not written: He grounded His judgment in God’s revealed purpose for the temple, holding the people and their leaders accountable to what God had already spoken. Mat 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not…”… ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? The temple was meant to display God’s presence and welcome those from every people who came to seek Him. Its courts, including the area available to Gentile worshipers, were not intended for commercial activity that hindered prayer and reverence. Isa 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful… But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The temple authorities had allowed its sacred purpose to be exploited for profit and convenience. Jesus condemned a system in which religious activity concealed greed and injustice, acting with prophetic authority as He judged the corruption of worship. Jer 7:11 Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den… Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple and addressing the misuse of the sacred space. 2. The Temple in Jerusalem The setting of this event, the temple was the center of Jewish worship and a symbol of God's presence among His people. 3. The Money Changers and Merchants Individuals conducting business in the temple, whom Jesus rebukes for turning a place of worship into a marketplace. 4. The Chief Priests and Scribes Religious leaders who were responsible for maintaining the temple's sanctity but were complicit in its misuse. 5. The Nations (Gentiles) Jesus references the inclusion of all nations in worship, highlighting the temple's intended purpose as a house of prayer for everyone. Teaching Points The Sanctity of Worship SpacesJesus' actions remind us of the importance of maintaining the holiness and purpose of places dedicated to worship. Inclusivity in Worship God's vision for His house as a place of prayer for all nations challenges us to embrace diversity and inclusivity in our worship communities. Condemnation of Exploitation The rebuke of the money changers serves as a warning against using religious settings for personal gain or exploitation. Righteous Anger Jesus' response to the corruption in the temple demonstrates that there is a place for righteous anger in confronting injustice and sin. Personal Reflection on Worship As believers, we are called to examine our own lives and ensure that our worship is genuine and not tainted by ulterior motives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Mark 11:17?2. How can we ensure our church is a "house of prayer for all nations"? 3. What actions might defile a place meant for worship, according to Mark 11:17? 4. How does Mark 11:17 connect with Isaiah 56:7 about God's house? 5. In what ways can we prioritize prayer in our personal spiritual lives? 6. How can we address and prevent commercialization within our church community? 7. What does Mark 11:17 reveal about Jesus' view on the purpose of the temple? 8. How does Mark 11:17 challenge the commercialization of religious spaces today? 9. Why does Jesus refer to the temple as a "den of robbers" in Mark 11:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 11? Verse 17. - My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations (πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν). St. Mark, writing for Gentiles, assures them that the God of the Jews is the God of all the nations; and that the court of the Gentiles, which was then so profaned, was a constituent part of his house of prayer. St. Jerome notes Christ's action in driving out the profaners of the temple as a great proof of his Divine power, that he alone should have been able to cast out so great a multitude. He says, "A fiery splendor flashed from his eyes, and the majesty of Deity shone in his countenance." The words, "My house shall be called the house of prayer," are a quotation from Isaiah 56:7; and it is a remarkable coincidence that in Ver. 11 of that chapter the rulers of the people are described as looking "every one for his gain from his quarter." A den of thieves (σπήλαιον ληστῶν); this should be rendered, a den of robbers. The Greek word for "thief" is κλέπτης, not ληστής. The two terms are carefully distinguished in St. John (John 10:1), "the same is a thief (κλέπτης) and a robber (λῃστής)." These priests, wholly intent upon gain, by various fraudulent acts plundered strangers and the poor, who came purchase offerings for the worship of God. Observe that the temple is called the house of God, not because he dwells in it in any corporeal sense, for "he dwelleth not in temples made with hands," but because the temple is the place set apart for the worship of God, in which he specially gives ear to the prayers of his people, and in which he specially promises his spiritual presence. Hence we learn what reverence is due to the houses of God; so that, as the master of a house resents any insult offered to his house as an insult to himself, so Christ reckons any wilful dishonor done to his house as a wrong and insult to him. Mark 11:17 shows Jesus restoring God’s original design for the temple: a welcoming place where every nation may pray and encounter the Lord. By linking Isaiah’s promise with Jeremiah’s warning, He contrasts God’s heart for inclusive, sincere worship with human tendencies toward greed and hypocrisy. The passage calls believers today to guard the purity of worship, ensure prayer remains central, and open wide the doors of God’s house to all people. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Thenκαὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. He began to teach ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach. them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. declare, ἔλεγεν (elegen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Is it not written: γέγραπται (gegraptai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. ‘My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. house οἶκός (oikos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family. will be called κληθήσεται (klēthēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'. a house οἶκος (oikos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family. of prayer προσευχῆς (proseuchēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 4335: From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory. for all πᾶσιν (pasin) Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. nations’? ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one. But δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. have made πεποιήκατε (pepoiēkate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. it αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. ‘a den Σπήλαιον (Spēlaion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4693: A cave, den, hideout. Neuter of a presumed derivative of speos; a cavern; by implication, a hiding-place or resort. of robbers.’” λῃστῶν (lēstōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3027: A robber, brigand, bandit. From leizomai; a brigand. Additonal Resources Mark 11:17 Blue Letter BibleMark 11:17 Bible Gateway Mark 11:17 Bible.com Mark 11:17 NIV |
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