Mark 11:17

Of all nations. Which rendering implies, shall be called by all nations. But render with Rev., a house of prayer for all the nations (pasin toiv eqnesin).

Thieves [λ η σ τ ω ν]. Rev., correctly, robbers. See on Matthew 21:13; Matthew 26:55; John 10:1; John 10:8. From lhiv or leia, booty. In classical usage mostly of cattle. The robber, conducting his operations on a large and systematic scale, and with the aid of bands, is thus to be distinguished from the klepthv, or thief who purloins or pilfers whatever comes to hand. A den would be appropriate to a band of robbers, not to thieves. Thus the traveler to Jericho, in Christ's parable (Luke 10:30), fell among robbers, not thieves