45While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, [20:46] "Beware of the scribes — those who want to walk about in long ceremonial robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets; [20:47] those who completely devour the households of widows and, as a pretext, make lengthy prayers. These will receive a far more excessive condemnation."
LUK 20:45-47
Beware of the Scribes
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, scribes were not merely copyists of texts but held significant religious and social authority as interpreters of the Torah. Their long robes were markers of elite status, signaling their position as respected figures in public life. The marketplace and synagogues were central spaces for social interaction and honor, where greetings and seating arrangements reflected one’s rank. Scribes sought these public displays of respect, aligning with the honor-shame culture of the time. Their exploitation of widows’ houses likely involved leveraging their religious authority to manipulate vulnerable individuals, possibly through legal or financial means, under the guise of piety. Their lengthy prayers served as a pretext to mask their greed. The condemnation they would face is described as —not just greater but qualitatively more severe, reflecting divine judgment against their hypocrisy and abuse of power. This critique would resonate deeply with an audience familiar with the scribes’ public prominence and private exploitation.
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How other translations render this
LUK 20:45
- KJV
- Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
- BSB
- In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples,
- Koinōnos
- While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples,
LUK 20:46
- KJV
- Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
- BSB
- “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.
- Koinōnos
- Beware of the scribes — those who want to walk about in long ceremonial robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets;
LUK 20:47
- KJV
- Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
- BSB
- They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
- Koinōnos
- those who completely devour the households of widows and, as a pretext, make lengthy prayers. These will receive a far more excessive condemnation.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 20:46
- scribes:The word translated 'scribes' referred to a class of educated officials who served as secretaries, registrars, and interpreters of the law, often holding positions of authority and respect.
- long robes:The 'long robes' mentioned here were distinctive garments worn by people of status and authority, signifying their position and demanding respect in public.
LUK 20:47
- devour:The term translated 'devour' implies not just consuming, but doing so completely and ruthlessly, often with a predatory or destructive connotation.
- more excessive:The phrase 'more excessive' indicates a greater degree of something beyond what is normal or expected, suggesting an abundance or superfluity that is often negative.