Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 19:46

"saying unto them, It is written, And my house shall be a house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of robbers." — Luke 19:46 (ASV)

Having responded with such authority to his opponents’ controversial questions, Jesus now comments on those who sought to disprove his authority (cf. 11:37–52). Here he stresses their pride and ostentation, as well as accuses them of taking advantage of widows. Apparently they misused their responsibility as legal arbiters .

Jesus is now in the temple area, where he drives out those buying and selling (Mark 11:15–17 for more vivid accounts). Luke mentions the importance of the temple as a house of prayer (prayer is an important theme in Luke). Verses 47–48 emphasize Jesus’ teaching ministry (cf. comment on 20:1). This is appropriate because Luke has consistently portrayed Jesus as a teacher, especially since the beginning of the central section of the gospel (9:51– 19:44). “The leaders among the people,” along with the chief priests and teachers of the law, are trying to kill Jesus, though “the people” (GK 3295) as a whole are not hostile to him. On the contrary, they “hung on his words.” Once again Luke distinguishes “people” from “crowd,” thus demonstrating that Christianity is properly seen as a continuation of true Judaism (see comments on 1:17, 68; 2:29–32).

Luke Chaper 20