Luke 19:45 - He entered into the temple, and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,

Generated Verse: Luke 19:45

What does "Luke 19:45" mean?


This verse describes the event known as the Cleansing of the Temple, which is recorded in all four Gospels. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and significance:

"He entered into the temple...": This refers to Jesus entering the Temple in Jerusalem, the most sacred place for the Jewish people.

"...and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it...": This is the core action. Jesus physically expelled the merchants and traders who were conducting business within the Temple precincts. This involved:

Buying and Selling: The merchants were selling animals (sheep, oxen, doves) for sacrifices, as well as other goods. They provided a service for pilgrims who traveled from afar and might not have been able to bring their own animals.
Money Changers: These individuals exchanged foreign currency into the local Temple currency, which was required to pay the Temple tax and purchase sacrificial animals.

Meaning and Significance:

The cleansing of the Temple is a powerful and symbolic act with multiple layers of meaning:

1. Profaning the Sacred Space: Jesus saw the commercial activity as corrupting the Temple's true purpose - a house of prayer and worship for all nations. He believed the focus had shifted from genuine devotion to mere ritual and financial transactions.

2. Corruption and Exploitation: The money changers were notorious for charging exorbitant exchange rates, effectively exploiting pilgrims. Similarly, the merchants may have been overcharging for animals, knowing pilgrims had no other option. Jesus was challenging this corruption.

3. Prophetic Action: This act was a bold, symbolic demonstration of Jesus' authority and his prophetic role. It echoed Old Testament prophets who condemned injustice and ritualistic worship without genuine heart.

4. Messianic Claim: The cleansing of the Temple could be interpreted as a claim to messianic authority. The Messiah was expected to purify the Temple and restore its true purpose.

5. Judgment: Some see the act as a foreshadowing of God's judgment on the Temple and the religious leaders who had allowed it to become corrupted.

6. Emphasis on Inner Faith: The cleansing highlights Jesus' emphasis on genuine faith and worship over outward rituals. He sought a relationship with God that was based on a pure heart, not merely on performing religious duties.

In summary, the verse from Luke 19:45 depicts Jesus' dramatic action of driving out the merchants and money changers from the Temple. This act was a powerful statement against corruption, exploitation, and the profaning of sacred space, and it underscored the importance of genuine faith over empty ritual. It can also be interpreted as a messianic claim and a prophetic warning of judgment.