How A House Of Prayer Becomes A Den Of Thieves

"So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " (Mark 11:15-17)

Jesus continues on to help the twelve disciples to understand and to remove the mountain of their confidence in the law for righteousness.

"Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. And they said to Him, 'By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority to do these things?' But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John - was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven," He will say, "Why then did you not believe him?" 'But if we say, "From men' "- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.' "


John the Baptist' ministry was to instruct the Jews that they must repent, for the kingdom of God was at hand. John was God's messenger that came to prepare them for His way and prior to His appearing. A baptism of repentance, readying them for God's way for the remission (payment and abatement) of sins. The Jews had, as we do today, a continuing devotion: approaching and turning to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; God the Father of Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Savior. Had the chief priests, scribes and elders received John's admonishment, there would have been none of the activities Jesus had to interrupt in the temple. The house would have been praying to God, crying out to Him day and night even though He bears long.


After his preparation, crying out to God for remission of sins and turning as he received instruction from above, John saw (clearly) Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) Those who wouldn't receive John's ministry left with nothing more added, Jesus refusing to tell them anything more than what had already been spoken and, by them, left undone.