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Mark 11:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 11:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Mark 11:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it.
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;
16and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.
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.
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.
19And every evening he went forth out of the city.
20And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.
← Mark 11:16Mark 11:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he taught, saying unto them, is it not written, etc..] In (<235607>Isaiah 56:7). My house shall be called of all nations, the house of prayer? For not only the Jews went up to the temple to pray, (see <421810>Luke 18:10), but the Gentiles also, who became of the Jewish religion, and had a court built for that purpose; and so the whole temple, from hence, was called an house of prayer: and the meaning is, not only that it should be called so by the Gentiles, but that it should be so to them, and made use of by them as such. Jarchi's note on the clause in (<235607>Isaiah 56:7) is, “not for Israel only, but also for the proselytes.” But ye have made it a den of thieves; for no other, in our…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:18-22. Mark 11:11 Into the temple - Not into the edifice properly called “the temple,” but into the “courts” which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the “temple,” it is always to be understood of the “courts” surrounding the temple. See the notes at Matthew 21:12. And when he had looked round about upon all things - Having seen or examined everything. He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterward corrected. It may be a matter of wonder that he did not “at once” correct them,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11. Mark 11:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:17 Jesus quoted Isa 56:7 and Jer 7:11 in defense of his action. The first quotation emphasizes the importance of the Temple for Gentiles. God’s house was intended by its very architecture (i.e., the Court of the Gentiles) to assist Gentiles in becoming children of Abraham. Jesus’ act of judgment fell upon the leaders of Israel for hindering the Gentiles’ access to the Temple. They were desecrating the Temple by taking part of the Temple specifically designated as a house of prayer for all nations and turning it into a den of thieves through the profiteering taking place.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Is it: Kg1 8:41-48; Isa 56:7, Isa 60:7; Luk 19:46 of all nations the house of prayer: or, an house of prayer for all nations a den: Jer 7:11; Hos 12:7; Joh 2:16 Mark 11:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification