1271. The Israelites did not believe in Christ, the covenant of God, but believed that if there was only the temple, they would be safe.

Mt 21:12-13, Mk 11:17, Lk 19:46

In the Old Testament, the Israelites believed that even if they sinned against God, they would be saved if they entered the temple. (Jeremiah 7:9-11)

Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? 11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.

Jesus drove the Jews out of the temple because they had turned it into a den of robbers. (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46)

Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Luke 19:46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.