1. Marc 11:17 (NEG79)
  2. Applications

The Church as house of prayer

Marc 11:17 (NEG79)

17 Et il enseignait et disait: N'est-il pas écrit: Ma maison sera appelée une maison de prière pour toutes les nations? Mais vous, vous en avez fait une caverne de voleurs.

The temple in Jerusalem no longer exists. Jesus was the temple: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). His body is God’s temple that will be destroyed but raised after three days (John 2:19–20). After his ascension he lives in his new temple, that is, the church—not the building but the people (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Are we as church a house of prayer or a den of robbers? God does not accept hypocrisy: combining prayers with a wicked lifestyle. See also Jesus’ education on prayer in Mark 11:22–25.