This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The prophets wrote long ago" or "God said long ago" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])
Jesus uses a metaphor to scold the people for buying and selling items in the temple. Alternate translation: "like a place where robbers hide" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])