Church Fathers Commentary Luke 20:45-47

"And in the hearing of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts; who devour widows` houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation." — Luke 20:45-47 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: Now, nothing is more powerful than arguing from the Prophets, for this carries even more weight than miracles themselves. When Christ worked miracles, He was often contradicted. But when He cited the Prophets, people were immediately silent because they had nothing to say. And when they were silent, He warned them about the scribes, as it is said: Then in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Since He was sending them to teach the world, He rightly warns them not to imitate the pride of the Pharisees: Beware of the Scribes, who desire to walk in long robes—that is, to go out in public dressed in fine clothes, which was one of the sins noted in the rich man.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: The passions of the scribes were the love of vainglory and the love of money. To ensure the disciples would avoid these hateful sins, He gives them this warning and adds, And love greetings in the markets.

Theophylact of Ohrid: This is the way of those who seek and pursue a good reputation, or they do it for the sake of collecting money.

It follows, And the chief seats in synagogues.

The Venerable Bede: He does not forbid those to sit first in the synagogue or at a feast to whom this honor belongs by right, but He tells them to beware of those who love this position improperly, denouncing not the distinction itself, but the inordinate love of it. Even so, a person would not be free from blame if, while seeking to take part in disputes in the market, they also desire to be called masters in the synagogue.

We are told to beware of those who seek vainglory for two reasons: first, so that we are not led astray by their pretense, thinking that the things they do are good; and second, so that we do not become inflamed with jealousy, desiring in vain to be praised for the good deeds they only pretend to do.

But they seek not only praise from people, but also money, for it follows: Who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. By pretending to be righteous and to have great merit before God, they succeed in receiving large sums of money from the sick and from those whose consciences are disturbed by their sins, acting as if they could be their protectors in the judgment.

St. John Chrysostom: Forcing their way into the property of widows, they exploit their poverty. They are not content to eat what is offered to them but devour it greedily. By using prayer for an evil purpose, they expose themselves to a heavier condemnation, as it follows: These shall receive the greater damnation.

Theophylact of Ohrid: This is because they not only do what is evil but also make a pretense of prayer, thereby using virtue as an excuse for their sin. They also impoverish widows—whom they were obligated to pity—by their pretense, which drives the widows to great expense.

The Venerable Bede: Alternatively, because they seek praise and money from people, they are punished with the greater damnation.