The Temple was God’s dwelling place among men (see Ex. 25:8). Again and again the Jews criticized Jesus for speaking of God as His Father (see John 5:17, 18; 8:18, 19, 38, 39; 10:30-33). They also claimed God as their Father (ch. 8:41), but realized that Jesus did so in a higher sense. They perceived that, in these words, Jesus set forth an unqualified claim to divinity. At the second cleansing Jesus spoke of the Temple as “my house” (Matt. 21:13), and when the leaders rejected His final appeal the following day He referred to it as “your house” (Matt. 23:38).

 That is, a market place, a place for the transaction of common business. At the second cleansing He used the expression “den of thieves” (see on Matt. 21:13). Those today who conscientiously seek to make their Father’s house a “house of prayer” (Matt. 21:13) will avoid making it a place for common thoughts, words, or actions. They will enter His house with awe and reverence, conscious of His holy presence, heart and mind uplifted in prayer and praise (see John 4:23, 24; cf. Ps. 96:9).