King James Version

What Does Luke 19:46 Mean?

Luke 19:46 in the King James Version says “Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

Luke 19:46 · King James Version

Prayer

Context

44

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

45

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein , and them that bought;

46

Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

47

And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

48

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him. were: or, hanged on him

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer (λέγων αὐτοῖς, Γέγραπται, Ὁ οἶκός μου οἶκος προσευχῆς, legōn autois, Gegraptai, Ho oikos mou oikos proseuchēs)—Jesus cites Isaiah 56:7, but significantly, Luke omits 'for all nations,' focusing on prayer's priority. Gegraptai (it stands written) appeals to Scripture's permanent authority. My house (Ὁ οἶκός μου) asserts ownership: this is Jesus's Father's house, making Him rightful Lord. Proseuchē (prayer) defines the temple's purpose—communion with God, not commercial transaction.

But ye have made it a den of thieves (ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐτὸν ἐποιήσατε σπήλαιον λῃστῶν, hymeis de auton epoiēsate spēlaion lēstōn)—quoting Jeremiah 7:11, Jesus condemns not just commerce but robbery. Lēstēs (robber, bandit) implies violence and exploitation, not mere shopkeeping. Jeremiah's context warned that religious ritual without justice brings judgment—within decades, Rome destroyed the temple (AD 70), vindicating Jesus's prophetic critique. The accusation 'ye have made' (epoiēsate, aorist active) assigns direct responsibility to the leaders.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah 7 was delivered at the temple gate, warning that the building wouldn't protect a disobedient nation. Jesus deliberately echoes this 'temple sermon,' positioning Himself as prophet announcing imminent judgment. Within a generation, the temple complex would be demolished, never rebuilt, while the church—a 'house of prayer for all nations'—would spread globally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious institutions meant to facilitate worship become obstacles to genuine encounter with God?
  2. What does Jesus's Scripture citation teach about the Word's authority in confronting religious corruption?
  3. Where might we have made sacred spaces into 'dens of thieves' through exploitation or profit-driven ministry?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
λέγων1 of 15

“Saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτὸν2 of 15

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Γέγραπται3 of 15

“It is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ὁ4 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἶκος5 of 15

“house”

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

μου6 of 15

“My”

G3450

of me

οἶκος7 of 15

“house”

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

προσευχῆς8 of 15

“of prayer”

G4335

prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)

ἐστίν,9 of 15

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὑμεῖς10 of 15

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

δὲ11 of 15

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτὸν12 of 15

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐποιήσατε13 of 15

“have made”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

σπήλαιον14 of 15

“a den”

G4693

a cavern; by implication, a hiding-place or resort

λῃστῶν15 of 15

“of thieves”

G3027

a brigand

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 19:46 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 19:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 56:7Jeremiah 7:11Ezekiel 43:12Matthew 23:13Psalms 93:5Hosea 12:7

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