Mark 12:38-40--Beware of the Scribes

Mark 12:38-40
English Standard Version
​
Beware of the Scribes
38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

---

With all this that has just happened as evidence to justify His conclusion, Jesus turns to the crowds and teaches them to beware of the scribes.  They were concerned with their external appearance and used their influence for their own personal gain--getting noticed in the marketplace, getting the best seats in the synagogues, and getting seated at places of honor in the many feasts to which they were invited.  However, inwardly, they were like ravenous wolves who would destroy the houses of widows all while pretending to be pious and holy--giving long prayers so people would notice them and think them to be super-spiritual.  Jesus warns that they would receive greater condemnation for they were supposed to be those who understood and taught others, but they were "blind guides" who did not walk in the right direction themselves, and they had been leading everyone else astray.  As we go along, we'll see that the scribes (the teachers of the Law) are right in the center of the conspiracy to put Jesus to death, along with the Pharisees, Sadducees and chief priests.