Devine Scripture

Mark 11:16

What does Mark 11:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 11:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 11:16 means

Jesus further asserted His authority by refusing to allow anyone to carry vessels through the temple courts. This prohibition was aimed at preventing the temple from being used as a shortcut for general commerce or as a common thoroughfare, reinforcing its sacred purpose. He sought to separate the temple from mundane activities, preserving its sanctity as a place exclusively dedicated to God's presence and worship, not worldly convenience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he would not let any man take a vessel through the Temple.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he did not suffer that any might bear a vessel through the temple,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he suffered not that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and suffered not that any one should carry any package through the temple.

Context

This verse expands upon Jesus's cleansing of the temple described in verse 15, further illustrating His determination to restore the sacred space to its intended purpose. It shows His thoroughness in purging all forms of misuse, setting the stage for His explicit verbal teaching and rebuke in the following verse, which clarifies the spiritual justification for His actions.

v.15And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;

v.16This passage

v.17And 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.

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