The answer is: A den of thieves

Matthew 21:13 - Jesus condemned the money changers in the temple, emphasizing its sacred purpose as a place of prayer. This rebuke mirrors Jeremiah 7:11, where God laments similar corruption. The phrase "den of thieves" highlights the serious issue of misuse of religious spaces for profit rather than worship.

In Matthew 21:13, Jesus' disapproval of the priests and the money changers reflects a deep concern for the integrity of sacred spaces. When he called the temple a "den of thieves," he wasn’t just making a comment about economic malpractice; he was flashing a divine red flag. The temple was meant to be the heart of communal worship, a space for upliftment and connection with the divine. Yet, here it was, overrun by profit motives and fraud, diverting attention from the spiritual to the material.

What's interesting is how this event connects back to the themes presented by previous prophets in the Old Testament. Jeremiah’s lament about God’s house being misused resonates all through biblical history, pointing to a recurring nature of human corruption and distraction from divine purpose. Throughout the scripture, the temple symbolized hope and revival, indicating not merely a building but a collaborative space for healing and prayer.

Moreover, the metaphor of “thieves” brings to mind other scriptural moments where deceit and opportunism have taken center stage. One cannot help but remember Jesus instructing his followers to be watchful and discerning, suggesting that the spirit behind worship should remain purer than gold or silver.

Finally, the wealth of ancient Jewish culture taught the importance of generosity and connection over greed. So, when Christ acted against the corruption in the temple, he wasn't merely venting; he was calling people back to their communal roots and awareness, promoting a richer, more meaningful connection to faith and community.