Den of Thieves

Wall Street, tax offices, Enron and other corrupt businesses have all been called dens of thieves. It's not flattering, of course, to have your business compared to a hangout for criminals and thugs.

The phrase owes its popularity to a colourful attack by Jesus on the street-sellers who crowded the streets close to the temple in Jerusalem. Expecting to find the temple a place of prayer, Jesus was scandalised to see hucksters ripping off the pilgrims with over-priced goods. He made some powerful enemies when he overturned the sellers' tables and told them...

Is it not written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations"? But you have made it a den of thieves."

Mark 11:17