What does Mark 11:16 mean?

The Amplified Bible says, "He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise or household wares through temple [grounds, using the temple area irreverently as a shortcut]." The Temple Mount is on the eastern edge of Jerusalem, north of center. The top of the Mount is a plateau, roughly 1,575 by 980 feet, or 480 by 300 meters. There are two major roads east out of the city, leading to Bethany, Jericho, and Perea, where the Jews travel to bypass Samaria on their way to Galilee. The northernmost road is easily accessed via the Sheep Gate on the north edge of the Temple Mount. Or it can be reached by going all the way around the Roman military fortress on the northwest corner of the Temple Mount.

The more direct path east is through the East Gate of the Temple Mount. For anyone who wants to go between the upper city of Jerusalem, where the aristocracy and priests live, and the eastern side of Judea, crossing the Temple Mount is the shortest route. The road from the lower city, where the merchants live, is on the very south end; the more direct road to the east is still accessed via the East Gate of the Temple Mount.

Modern believers, even Christians, don't have the same relationship with physical places of worship as did the Jews with the temple. Modern churches are more akin to synagogues, where Jews met to teach and discuss Scriptures. Modern people use churches for weddings, meals, Bible studies, and teen events. Some churches don't own dedicated buildings, but meet in schools, strip-malls, YMCAs, or homes. While we strive to maintain neat and orderly churches, we realize the church building is not the "temple." Rather, we are (1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20). We don't have to go to a church building to meet with God; we can meet Him anywhere because the Holy Spirit lives inside believers.

It was not so for the Jews. God met Jews in the temple. Before the ark of the covenant was lost, He hovered over it. To carry household goods, exchange money, and sell birds in the courtyard of the temple isn't the same as putting in a bookstore in a church lobby. It's more like holding a yard sale in the throne room of an emperor.