Jesus overturned the chairs and tables of those selling and changing money in the temple.
Mark 11:17 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.
Mark 11:17 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.
NLT Mark 11:17 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.
Has it not been written that, "This house of mine will be called a house of prayer for all these nations? You , however, yourselves have made it a pirate's cave.
We must recognize when places are set apart for higher purposes.
This verse is identical in form to the version in Matthew covered here. Jesus is quoting here from Isa 56:7.
This verse highlights a problem with the most common translation of the Greek word that is translated here as "nation." This word is usually translated as "gentiles" in most translations, making it seem as though Jesus uses it to refer to non-Jews. The translation in this verse is better because it really means "nation" and "people" generally and is only occasionally used to refer to foreign tribes. The Hebrew word in Isaiah, `am, makes this clearer because it has no "barbarian" implications at all.
It is also interesting that the word chosen here for "house" is the masculine rather than the feminine form of the word. The reason is that the former refers specifically to a building while the later refers as much to the family or clan that dwells in a house. Jesus is saying specifically that the building is not just for the use of the clan but for everyone.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "is" seems to indicate the present tense, but this is an action completed in the past.
- MW - Missing Word -- The pronoun "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "nations" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "house" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "is" seems to indicate the present tense, but this is an action completed in the past.
- MW - Missing Word -- The pronoun "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "nations" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "is" seems to indicate the present tense, but this is an action completed in the past.
- MW - Missing Word -- The pronoun "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "house" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
Is -- (WT) Since the verb is in the past perfect form, this should be "has been" indicating an action completed in the past.
it -- This is from the singular, third-person form of the verb.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
written, -- "Written" is the Greek verb that means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", and so on.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word should be translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
My - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. The word follows the noun so "of mine."
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
shall -- This is from the future tense of the following verb.
be -- This is from the passive voice of the following verb.
called -- The term translated as "called" is like our word "call" because it means both "to summon" and also "to name," but it does not as clearly mean "to address."
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following adjective and noun.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
nations -- The word translated as "nations" is usually translated as "gentiles" but means "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. It is in the same form as the "them" above, so "to them" or "for them."
the -- (IW) There is no definite article here. This should be "a" instead of "the,"
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following noun.
prayer? -- "Prayer" is a noun that means "prayer" and also "place of prayer," "sanctuary," and "chapel." Christ more commonly uses the verb form of the word, proseuchomai.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
ye -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
have -- This is from the past perfect tense of the following verb.
made -- The Greek word translated as "made" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
den -- "Den" is an uncommon Greek word for Jesus that means "grotto", "cavern," and "cave." It is the source for our term for exploring caves, "spelunking." It also means "behind the scenes" in a theater.
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following verb.
thieves. -- Thieves" is another uncommon word for Jesus that means "robber" or "pirate."
Is -- (WT) Since the verb is in the past perfect form, this should be "has been" indicating an action completed in the past.
it -- This is from the singular, third-person form of the verb.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
written, -- "Written" is the Greek verb that means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", and so on.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word should be translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
My - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. The word follows the noun so "of mine."
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
will -- This is from the future tense of the following verb.
be -- This is from the passive voice of the following verb.
called -- The term translated as "called" is like our word "call" because it means both "to summon" and also "to name," but it does not as clearly mean "to address."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following noun.
prayer? -- "Prayer" is a noun that means "prayer" and also "place of prayer," "sanctuary," and "chapel." Christ more commonly uses the verb form of the word, proseuchomai.
for -- -- This word "for" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
nations -- The word translated as "nations" is usually translated as "gentiles" but means "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. It is in the same form as the "them" above, so "to them" or "for them."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
you -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
have -- This is from the past perfect tense of the following verb.
made -- The Greek word translated as "made" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
den -- "Den" is an uncommon Greek word for Jesus that means "grotto", "cavern," and "cave." It is the source for our term for exploring caves, "spelunking." It also means "behind the scenes" in a theater.
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following verb.
robbers. -- "Robbers" is another uncommon word for Jesus that means "robber" or "pirate."
NLT
Is -- (WT) Since the verb is in the past perfect form, this should be "has been" indicating an action completed in the past.
it -- This is from the singular, third-person form of the verb.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
written, -- "Written" is the Greek verb that means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", and so on.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word should be translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
My - "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. The word follows the noun so "of mine."
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
shall -- This is from the future tense of the following verb.
be -- This is from the passive voice of the following verb.
called -- The term translated as "called" is like our word "call" because it means both "to summon" and also "to name," but it does not as clearly mean "to address."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following noun.
prayer? -- "Prayer" is a noun that means "prayer" and also "place of prayer," "sanctuary," and "chapel." Christ more commonly uses the verb form of the word, proseuchomai.
for -- -- This word "for" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
the-- The word is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
nations -- The word translated as "nations" is usually translated as "gentiles" but means "a group of people living together," a nation, a tribe, or a cast of people. Later it came to mean "barbarous nations" similar to our idea of ethnic people. It is in the same form as the "them" above, so "to them" or "for them."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
you -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
have -- This is from the past perfect tense of the following verb.
made -- The Greek word translated as "made" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
den -- "Den" is an uncommon Greek word for Jesus that means "grotto", "cavern," and "cave." It is the source for our term for exploring caves, "spelunking." It also means "behind the scenes" in a theater.
of -- This is from the genitive form of the following verb.
robbers. -- "Robbers" is another uncommon word for Jesus that means "robber" or "pirate."
Οὐ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
γέγραπται [34 verses]( ( verb 3rd sg perf ind mp ) "It is written" is grapho which means "to mark", "to express by written characters", "to write a letter", "to write down [a law]", "to proscribe", "to ordain", "to write for oneself", "to enroll oneself", "to draw signs", "to describe a figure" "to brand," and "to indict."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that", "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what", "because", "since," and "wherefore." --
“Ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."--
οἶκός [29 verses](noun sg masc nom) "House" is oikos, which means "house", "dwelling place", "room", "home", "meeting hall", "household goods", "substance," and "ruling family." It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else
οἶκος [29 verses](noun sg masc nom) "House" is oikos, which means "house", "dwelling place", "room", "home", "meeting hall", "household goods", "substance," and "ruling family." It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
προσευχῆς [5 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Prayer" is from proseuche, which means "prayer" and also "place of prayer," "sanctuary," and "chapel." Christ more commonly uses the verb form of the word, proseuchomai.
κληθήσεται[38 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be called" is from kaleo, which means "call", "summon", "invite", "invoke", "call by name," and "demand."
πᾶσιν [212 verses] ( adj pl masc/neut dat ) "Of all" is pas, which means "all", "the whole", "every", "anyone", "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way", "on every side", "in every way," and "altogether."
τοῖς [821 verses](article pl neut dat ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἔθνεσιν;” [22 verses]( noun pl neut dat ) "Nations" is ethnos, which means "a number of people living together", "company", "body of men," "tribe", "a people", "nation," and (later) "foreign, barbarous nations."
ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis, which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."
δὲ [446 verses] (conj/adv) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so").
πεποιήκατε , [168 verses]( verb 2nd pl perf ind act ) "Made" is poieo, which means "to make", "to produce", "to create", "to bring into existence", "to bring about", "to cause", "to perform", "to render", "to consider", "to prepare", "to make ready," and "to do."
αὐτὸν [124 verses](pron/adj sg masc acc) "Him/It" is auton, is the masculine, accusative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. Masculine pronouns can refer to things as well as people, so it can be it."
“σπήλαιον [3 verses]( noun sg neut acc ) "Den" is from spelaion, which means "grotto", "cavern," and "cave." It is the source for our term for exploring caves, "spelunking." It also means "behind the scenes" in a theater.
λῃστῶν.” [10 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Thieves" is from lestes, which means "robber" or "pirate."
Why was money a bad thing in the temple.. The main currency of the time was the Tiberius denarius. The Tiberius silver denarius reads: "Ti[berivs] Caesar Divi Avg[vsti] F[ilivs] Avgvstvs" ("Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus"). So the very title on the coin was blasphemous to the Judeans at the time. A point Jesus means later in the Gospel.