Timeline

Jesus' Story

Back to Story Map

Jesus' Story · Event 52 of 78

Clearing the Temple

Final Week · The temple in Jerusalem

Mark 11:17

3 accounts of this passage

Mark 11:15–19

15When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overthrew the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 16He would not allow anyone to carry any container through the temple. 17Then he taught them, saying, "Doesn't Scripture say, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you've turned it into a den of thieves." 18The chief priests and the scribes heard about this and began looking for a way to kill him. They were afraid of him because the crowds were amazed by his teaching. 19When evening came, he left the city.

Read Mark 11

About this event

What happened?

Jesus entered the temple and drove out those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the money changers. He said that God's house should be called a house of prayer, but they had made it a den of thieves. The chief priests and teachers of the law looked for a way to kill him, because the people were amazed at his teaching.

Who is here?

  • Money changers and sellers
  • The chief priests and teachers of the law

Where did this happen?

The temple in Jerusalem

The house of God in Jerusalem, where Israel worshiped and offered sacrifices.

Where this fits

Event 2 of 15 in Final Week: Jesus enters Jerusalem, teaches in the temple, shares the Last Supper, and is arrested and tried.

Good to know

John tells of Jesus clearing the temple early in his ministry (John 2:13–22).

Keep exploring

Before thisThe Triumphal EntryMatthew 21:1–11After thisQuestions in the TempleMatthew 22:15–46RelatedClearing the Temple at PassoverJohn 2:13–22