New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:13

The King Enters

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.’” Matthew 21:13 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:13, in plain English

Jesus declares, 'Scripture says My house will be called a house of prayer — but you've turned it into a hideout for thieves.'

Why it's here

He's quoting two prophets at once, making it clear this isn't a tantrum — it's a prophetic act.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks as the Son who has the right to clean out His Father's house.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus quotes the prophets to explain exactly why He's so angry. God's house was supposed to be a place of connection, not corruption.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 ('My house shall be called a house of prayer') and Jeremiah 7:11 ('den of robbers'), combining prophetic critique of temple corruption with the vision of universal worship.

Language and setting

Isaiah 56:7 envisions the temple as a house of prayer for all nations; Jeremiah 7:11 condemned exploitation under the cover of religious ritual.

Voice

Jesus declares prophetic judgment on the temple's commercialization.

Significance

Jesus speaks with the authority of the prophets, condemning the temple leaders for turning God's house of prayer into a profit center.

In context

Matthew 21:11–15

11The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

13And 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.’”

14The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

15But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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