Mark 11:15-19

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.

¹⁷ 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.’ ”

¹⁸ And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.

¹⁹ When evening had come, He went out of the city.

Also found in Matthew 21:12-13 and Luke 19:45-48.

The state of things Jesus saw in the temple yesterday has been in His mind ever since: though the night watches in Bethany; in the morning, killing appetite; on the way, the key to His enigmatical behavior towards the fig tree. He began the day’s work by ejecting the traffickers, making no distinction between sellers and buyers. The market was within the precinct of the Temple, and had already attracted the attention of Jesus at the first Passover of His ministry (John 2:14). It was a recognized institution, under the protection of the chief priests, and known in Rabbinical writings. The sales were limited to the Temple requisites, victims for the sacrifices, and the wine, oil, salt, etc., used in the ritual. As to our Lord prohibiting any from carrying a vessel through the Temple, the explanation is as follows: Persons carrying goods or implements, used the Temple as a short-cut when going between the city and the Mount of Olives. This had been forbidden by the Jewish authorities at one time, but the order was not being enforced. The word “vessel” referred to an “implement, household utensil, domestic gear.” The Greek or Roman money which the Passover visitors from Gentile countries brought with them was changed into Jewish half-shekels, so that the Jew could pay his Temple-tax. A large profit was made in this way. To have their tables over turned and their money thrown all over the floor on the eve of the Passover, was to deal their business a serious blow at a time when the money traffic was at its height. — Wuest, pages 220-221.

The quote in v.17 is from Isaiah 56:7.

thieves (v.17) — should be “robbers.” … The robber, conducting his operations on a large and systematic scale, and with the aid of bands, is thus to be distinguished from the thief who purloins or pilfers whatever comes to hand. A den would be appropriate to a band of robbers, not thieves. — Wuest, page 222.

Jesus’ clearing of the Temple was the last straw for the Jewish authorities. From this point “they went to seeking” a way to do away with Him. But the crowds in the city for Passover were largely from Galilee and the Gentile countries. These people were fans of Jesus, at least on the surface, and were expecting Him to take the throne. Any attempt on His life could have caused a riot.

astonished (v.18) = struck out of one’s senses. Jesus’ teaching was very different from the teaching the people heard from the Jewish leaders.

When (v.19) = Whenever. The Lord left the city each of the first three evenings of the week.