Mark 11 15

Mark 11:15 kjv

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Mark 11:15 nkjv

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.

Mark 11:15 niv

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,

Mark 11:15 esv

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.

Mark 11:15 nlt

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves,

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 15 Meaning

Mark 11:15 describes Jesus' forceful and authoritative cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem. This pivotal act signifies Jesus' zealous defense of the sacredness of God's house, challenging the spiritual and commercial corruption that had perverted its true purpose as "a house of prayer for all nations." It demonstrates His divine authority and serves as a prophetic indictment against the religious system of His day, revealing its spiritual barrenness and misuse of worship.

Mark 11 15 Context

Mark 11:15 occurs immediately after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He was hailed as King, and after He cursed a fig tree (Mark 11:12-14). The cursing of the fig tree, which looked promising but yielded no fruit, serves as a prophetic prelude and commentary on the Temple's condition. The Temple in Jerusalem, particularly Herod's magnificent reconstruction, was central to Jewish identity and worship. Pilgrims from all over would visit, especially for Passover. Temple worship required specific, unblemished animals for sacrifice and the payment of a temple tax in approved currency (Tyrian shekels). To facilitate this, commercial activity occurred in the outer Court of the Gentiles, providing a convenient but often exploitative system of selling animals and exchanging currency. Jesus' act is positioned during the week of His Passion, immediately preceding His confrontation with the religious authorities, thus escalating the conflict that leads to His crucifixion.

Mark 11 15 Word analysis

• And they came: Refers to Jesus and His disciples (cf. Mark 11:11). The journey to Jerusalem, especially at Passover, carried great significance.
• to Jerusalem: (Ἱεροσόλυμα, Hierosólyma). The spiritual, political, and historical capital, where the Temple stood, central to God's covenant with Israel.
• And he entered: "He" is Jesus, emphasizing His sole authority in this action. His entry signifies purposeful intention and claims divine prerogative.
• the temple: (τὸ ἱερόν, to hierón). Refers to the entire temple complex, specifically the outer Court of the Gentiles (or Court of the Nations). This was the only part accessible to non-Jews, underscoring Jesus' concern for their access to prayer.
• and began to drive out: (ἤρξατο ἐκβάλλειν, ērxato ekballein). "Began" implies the start of a decisive, comprehensive action. "Drive out" is a strong word, often used for expelling demons or banishing someone. It signifies forceful expulsion, an act of authority, not merely an appeal or gentle request.
• those who sold and those who bought: This refers to individuals engaged in commerce—specifically, the selling and purchasing of animals for sacrifice and other pilgrim needs.
• in the temple: Explicitly stating the location, highlighting the sacrilege of conducting such business in a sacred space intended for worship.
• and he overturned: A physical, disruptive act, symbolizing the overturning of corrupted systems and structures.
• the tables: Pertaining to the exchange of currency.
• of the money-changers: (κολλυβιστῶν, kollybistōn). These were currency exchangers who converted foreign money into the required Tyrian shekels for temple taxes and purchases. They were notorious for excessive charges and dishonest practices, exploiting pilgrims.
• and the seats: Indicates organized commercial setups, not just makeshift stalls.
• of those who sold pigeons: Pigeons were sacrifices for the poor (Lev 12:8; Lk 2:24). Their inclusion highlights the exploitation of the most vulnerable and marginalized worshippers.

Words-group analysis:

• "he entered the temple and began to drive out": This phrase captures Jesus' deliberate and powerful reassertion of control over the holy space, acting with inherent, decisive authority.
• "those who sold and those who bought in the temple": Identifies the primary targets of Jesus' action: commercial transactions, emphasizing that the mere act of business was taking place in the sacred precincts, which profaned it.
• "overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons": Describes specific actions that target both financial exploitation and the exploitation of the poor, directly attacking the mechanisms of their corruption within the Temple system.

Mark 11 15 Bonus section

Jesus' cleansing of the Temple can be understood as a direct fulfillment of prophecy, establishing His credentials as the Messiah. The forceful expulsion indicates that Jesus' authority superseded that of the Temple authorities, exposing their stewardship as unfaithful. The event also highlights the inherent value God places on unhindered access to Himself, especially for Gentiles, by reclaiming the Court of the Gentiles for prayer. The commercialization had effectively barred the spiritual access for many, particularly non-Jews who could only access that court. This powerful act served as a dramatic "enacted parable," illustrating the judgment upon a people who, despite outward religious observance, had forgotten the heart of God's purpose for His sacred dwelling.

Mark 11 15 Commentary

Mark 11:15 portrays Jesus’ forceful Temple cleansing as a messianic sign-act, a tangible demonstration of His divine authority and righteous indignation. It was not merely an outburst of anger but a deliberate, prophetic denunciation of a corrupt religious system. The Temple, intended as a universal "house of prayer for all nations" (Isa 56:7), had been transformed into a marketplace, described by Jesus as a "den of robbers" (Jer 7:11). This critique was multifaceted: challenging the unholy mixture of commerce with worship, condemning the exploitation of pilgrims, especially the poor, and most importantly, exposing the spiritual bankruptcy of an establishment that prioritized profit over piety and convenience over true communion with God.

By physically overturning tables and expelling merchants, Jesus performed a symbolic act of judgment and purification, echoing Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Mal 3:1-3; Zech 14:21) concerning the Lord's coming to His temple. This event significantly intensified the animosity of the Jewish religious authorities toward Jesus, as it directly challenged their control, their revenue, and their very authority. It served as a foretaste of the spiritual renewal Jesus offered, where genuine worship and access to God would no longer be restricted by a compromised earthly temple but through Himself. The act also frames Jesus' forthcoming prophecies about the Temple's destruction, signifying the end of the old covenant system and the advent of a new one where believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit.