Mark 12:38-40

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 12:35-40

Here, I. Christ shows the people how weak and defective the scribes were in their preaching, and how unable to solve the difficulties that occurred in the scriptures of the Old Testament, which they undertook to expound. Of this he gives an instance, which is not so fully related here as it was in Matthew. Christ was teaching in the temple: many things he said, which were not written; but notice is taken of this, because it will stir us up to enquire concerning Christ, and to enquire of him;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:38

And he said unto them in his doctrine ,.... As he was preaching, not to the Scribes and Pharisees but to the multitude, and to his disciples particularly; and to them in the audience of the people, as appears from Matthew 23:1 . Beware of the Scribes ; for though he had just spoken favourably of one of them, this was but a single man, and a singular instance; the body of that set of men, were very bad in their principles and practices, and therefore to be avoided, and that for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:39

And the chief seats in the synagogues ,.... Where the rulers of the synagogue, and the elders of the people sat; See Gill on Matthew 23:6 . And the uppermost rooms at feasts ; or the first and chief places where they sat, or rather lay along at public entertainment; See Gill on Matthew 23:6 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:40

Which devour widows' houses ,.... See Gill on Matthew 23:14 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 12:38

Beware of the scribes - See on Matthew 23:1 ; (note), etc. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:35-40

The scribes. The profession of scribes, which had existed among the Jews ever since the Captivity, was in itself an honorable and useful profession. And there were members of this learned body who came into contact with the Lord Jesus who showed a candid disposition, a love of the truth, and who evinced respect and admiration for the great Rabbi. Yet some of the most bitter and virulent of our Lord's enemies were of this class. Their superiority to the people was a snare as well as an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:38-39

These verses are a condensation of the woes recorded at length by St. Matthew ( Matthew 23:1-39 .). And he said unto them in his doctrine ( ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὑτοῦ )—literally, in his teaching— Beware of the scribes which desire ( τῶν θελόντων ) to walk in long robes ( ἐν στολαῖς ). The στόλη was a rich robe which reached down to the ankles, and was adorned with fringes. The scribes took pleasure in this kind of display. The salient points in their character were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:38-40

Traits of the scribe. I. THE SEEMING GOOD OFTEN TH RI VE AND ARE HONORED. Insight into character is rare; men are judged by the outside, and are taken largely at their own valuation. II. Pretension ever hides emptiness, and often guilt. Fixed for ever for our repugnance, hatred, and contempt is the character of the religious pretender in the Gospel. Men need to be warned that there is more danger to the soul in pretending to a piety we have not got, than in merely having none... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:38-40

Parallel passages: Matthew 23:13-39 ; Luke 20:45-47 .— Warner against the scribes and Pharisees. He warns his disciples against We need daily to pray for preservation from all these.—J. J.G. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:40

There is a change in the construction here, which is not marked in the Authorized Version. The sentence in this fortieth verse should stand alone, and be read thus: They which devour ( οἱ κατεσθίοντες ) widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation . The sentence thus read is far more graphic. The statement thus becomes indeed more general, but the reference is still to the scribes who through their avarice swallowed up the property of... read more

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