Devine Scripture

Mark 11:17

What does Mark 11:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 11:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 11:17 means

Jesus publicly taught and challenged the temple practices by quoting from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. He declared that God's house was intended to be "a house of prayer for all the nations," but they had transformed it into a "den of robbers." This powerful indictment condemned both the exclusion of Gentiles from proper worship and the exploitative commercialism that preyed on worshippers, exposing their deep spiritual corruption.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave them teaching, and said to them, Is it not in the Writings, My house is to be named a house of prayer for all the nations? but you have made it a hole of thieves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he taught saying to 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.

Context

Following His physical cleansing activities in verses 15 and 16, this verse presents Jesus's verbal and scriptural justification for His actions. His teaching directly rebukes the religious leaders for their misuse of the temple, setting the stage for their severe reaction and plot to destroy Him in the subsequent verses, establishing the core conflict of this section.

v.16and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.

v.17This passage

v.18And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 19:46

    saying unto them, It is written, And my house shall be a house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of robbers.

  • 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.

  • 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 my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

  • Hosea 12:7

    He isa trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

  • John 2:16

    and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise.

  • 1 Kings 8:41

    Moreover concerning the foreigner, that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come out of a far country for thy name’s sake

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