Mark 12:38-39 - Exposition

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 ostentation, avarice, and religious hypocrisy.