Luke 19 45

Luke 19:45 kjv

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

Luke 19:45 nkjv

Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,

Luke 19:45 niv

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling.

Luke 19:45 esv

And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold,

Luke 19:45 nlt

Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices.

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 45 Meaning

Luke 19:45 records Jesus' decisive action upon entering the temple courts, where He began to forcefully remove individuals engaged in commercial activities. This act was not merely a rejection of commerce in sacred space but a prophetic declaration against the corrupt religious establishment that profited from such practices, defiling the purpose of God's house as a place of prayer for all nations. It powerfully demonstrated Jesus' divine authority and His zeal for the purity of worship, signifying the impending judgment upon a system that had become a "den of robbers" rather than a dwelling of righteousness.

Luke 19 45 Context

Luke 19:45 occurs immediately after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40) and His profound lament over the city, weeping for its impending destruction due to its rejection of Him as the Messiah and the things that make for peace (Luke 19:41-44). The cleansing of the temple, therefore, is not an isolated event but a direct consequence and a visible manifestation of Jesus' divine authority and His sorrow for Jerusalem's spiritual blindness. Historically, the Jerusalem Temple, specifically its outer Gentile Court, was allowed to host commercial activities to facilitate sacrifices for pilgrims, including the sale of sacrificial animals and the exchange of currency. However, this had degenerated into a highly exploitative, monopolistic enterprise, particularly under the control of powerful priestly families. This profited greatly from the poor, turning a sacred space meant for prayer into a bustling, noisy marketplace filled with extortion and deceit, effectively hindering genuine worship, especially for Gentiles. Jesus' act was a direct challenge to the corrupt Sadducean priestly establishment and their abuse of religious power for financial gain.

Luke 19 45 Word analysis

• Then (καὶ - kai): A conjunction, marking a logical and sequential progression from the previous events. It highlights the immediacy of Jesus' action after His entry into Jerusalem and His lament.

• He (αὐτὸς - autos, implied subject from the verb): Refers to Jesus. This emphasizes His singular, authoritative initiation of the action. It is the Lord of the Temple taking action concerning His own house.

• entered (εἰσελθὼν - eiselthōn): A past participle ("having entered"). It suggests a deliberate, purposeful act of going in, signifying an active presence and intent, rather than a casual stroll. It underlines His ownership and prerogative to address what was happening inside.

• the temple (εἰς τὸ ἱερόν - eis to hieron): Refers to the entire temple complex, specifically the outer courts, which included the Court of the Gentiles. This distinguishes it from the naos, which was the Holy Place or Holy of Holies. The abuses Jesus confronted were occurring in these publicly accessible areas, especially the Court of the Gentiles, thereby blocking their intended use for all nations to pray.

• and began (ἤρξατο - ērxato): This verb "He began" indicates the start of a powerful and decisive action. It is not a gentle request but the initiation of an authoritative expulsion, conveying the force and directness of Jesus' confrontation.

• to drive out (ἐκβάλλειν - ekballein): A strong verb meaning "to cast out," "to expel forcibly," or "to throw out." It's used for casting out demons (e.g., Lk 4:41) or removing a stumbling block. It signifies a forceful, non-negotiable removal, reflecting intense indignation and a reclaiming of sacred space.

• those who bought and sold (τοὺς πωλοῦντας - tous pōlountas): While some ancient Greek manuscripts for Luke 19:45 (and KJV translations) include "those who bought" (agorazontas), the most reliably attested Greek texts for Luke 19:45 primarily use "those who were selling" (a participle describing ongoing activity). However, the inclusion of "bought and sold" in the user's provided verse text is common in translations, capturing the overall commercial enterprise that defiled the temple. This phrase identifies the specific group whose activities corrupted the temple. Their actions turned a house of prayer into a marketplace.

• in it (ἐν αὐτῷ - en autō): Specifies the location: within the temple precinct. This emphasizes the profound disrespect and defilement occurring in God's very house, a place designated for spiritual devotion and holiness.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then He entered the temple": Signifies Jesus' immediate, authoritative presence and ownership over the sacred space. It is not an idle visit but a purposeful intrusion by the Lord into His neglected house, following His kingly entry into Jerusalem.
  • "and began to drive out": Describes the commencement of a forceful and determined act of purification. This phrase highlights the divine authority and unwavering resolve with which Jesus confronted the corruption, not merely a protest, but a decisive removal.
  • "those who bought and sold in it": Pinpoints the target of Jesus' wrath: the commercial activities that had overtaken and defiled the temple. It refers to the systemic corruption and exploitation embedded in the religious practices, transforming a house of prayer into a hub of earthly gain.

Luke 19 45 Bonus section

While Luke's account is more concise, Mark's Gospel specifically states Jesus would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple, further emphasizing the sacred space's defilement. The particular court where this activity took place, the Court of the Gentiles, underscores the symbolic severity: a place intended for all people to pray had been rendered unusable by greed. This exclusion of Gentiles was a direct affront to God's universal plan for salvation. The strong verb "drive out" (ἐκβάλλειν) paints a vivid picture of force, suggesting Jesus' intense zeal for God's holiness. It's not a polite request but an assertive, Messianic purge. This dramatic confrontation, especially immediately following Jesus' claim to Jerusalem as King, profoundly challenged the status quo and cemented the animosity of the Jewish leadership against Him, as noted in the subsequent verses where the chief priests and scribes sought to destroy Him (Lk 19:47-48). This act thus serves as a catalyst in the events leading to the Passion week.

Luke 19 45 Commentary

Luke 19:45 recounts Jesus' prophetic act of cleansing the temple, a pivotal moment illustrating His divine authority and zeal for God's house. Following His kingly procession and weeping over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness, Jesus directly confronts the egregious corruption within the temple precincts. His action of "driving out" the merchants was not a mere expression of anger, but a profound declaration.

Firstly, it was an assertion of authority. As the Son of God, Jesus acted as the rightful Lord of the Temple, reclaiming it from those who had perverted its purpose. This act mirrored Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah who would purify the temple (Mal 3:1-3, Zech 14:21).

Secondly, it exposed the religious hypocrisy and exploitation prevalent among the temple authorities. While providing services for pilgrims, the system had devolved into a self-serving monopoly where the poor were extorted through unfair exchange rates and inflated prices for sacrificial animals. The temple, intended to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Isa 56:7), particularly for Gentiles, had become a noisy "den of robbers" (Jer 7:11), obstructing access to true worship. Jesus’ anger was against systemic injustice that prevented people from drawing near to God.

Finally, this act served as a powerful parabolic judgment on a corrupt system and an unfaithful generation. It foreshadowed the destruction of the physical temple and the shift from localized, ritualistic worship to a new covenant worship in spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24). This purification was not just of stones, but a call to pure hearts and true devotion, emphasizing that external religiosity without internal righteousness is abhorrent to God.

Practically, this challenges believers to ensure that our "temples"—our lives and our gatherings as the Church—are truly dedicated to God's purposes of prayer, worship, and righteousness, rather than being defiled by selfish gain, worldly values, or anything that hinders true communion with God.Examples:

• For Individuals: Ensuring our personal lives (our bodies, our "temples") are not consumed by greed or worldly pursuits that detract from a spirit of prayer and devotion.
• For Churches: Prioritizing genuine worship, discipleship, and outreach over mere commercial endeavors, programs, or traditions that become self-serving or burdensome.