MY House

Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, “It is written, ‘AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,’ but you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”
And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said. Luke 19:45-48


In these last few days before Passover, Jesus had been staying at Bethany nearby (we learn from other gospel writers), and making daily visits into the city, preparing for the objective of His mission into humanity. The temple was located at Jerusalem, of course, and He went inside to teach and observed the activities there.

The activities going on there were not spiritual in nature, but highly commercialized, in anticipation of the coming Passover. This major annual event for Israel was bringing in Jews from all around the country, to be present for the great celebration of their miraculous emancipation from Egypt. What an opportunity to sell, likely at inflated prices, the sacrificial animals to be offered by the worshippers at this holy event. It was a convenience for the out-of-towners to buy on site rather than bring from home, somewhat like a bazaar, it seems, within the temple walls. Ryrie Study Bible notes that "the merchants would guarantee their animals to be without spot or blemish. They would exchange the Greek and Roman coinage into the half-shekel required for the temple tax. They were guilty of profaning the temple and of excess profiteering." What an insult to the Lamb of God! What a distortion of plan and purpose for such a meaningful memorial. How typical of political, hypocritical religion. And these men thought they were better than publicans.

So, Jesus drove them out. This same hypocrisy was denounced by Jeremiah before the nation went into captivity. Using God's house for monetary gain would not be tolerated by the One represented there. Those who want to envision God the Son as a pacifist wimp with no inviolable standards need to pay attention here. There are behaviors He will not abide, especially in those who claim to represent Him. Such as legalism, hypocrisy, and commercialisation of His Name. "Blessed is he who is not ashamed of Christ's sternest words" wrote A. B. Bruce (The Training of the Twelve), calling this "a religious system which the Lord Jesus Christ could not endure, or be on civil terms with."

As He drove them out his denunciation was not one of human opinion, but as always He quoted the written Word: "...mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7). "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" (Jeremiah 7:11).

Oh, how the politico-religious leaders wanted to be rid of Him! They just couldn't find anything, yet, to destroy Him with, and the people adored Him. They were persistent. They would keep trying.