Church Fathers Commentary Mark 12:38-40

"And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts: they that devour widows` houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation." — Mark 12:38-40 (ASV)

Pseudo-Jerome: After refuting the Scribes and Pharisees, He burns up their dry and withered examples like a fire.

Therefore, it is said, "And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing."

The Venerable Bede: To walk in long clothing is to go out in public dressed in overly ornamented garments, in which, among other things, the rich man who fared sumptuously every day is said to have sinned.

Theophylact of Ohrid: They used to walk in honorable garments because they wished to be highly esteemed for it. In the same way, they desired other things that lead to glory.

For it goes on: "And love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts."

The Venerable Bede: We must observe that He does not forbid that those whose office requires it should be saluted in the marketplace or have chief seats and places at feasts. Rather, He teaches that those who love these things excessively, whether they have them or not, are to be avoided by the faithful as wicked men. In other words, He blames the intention, not the office, although it is also blameworthy that the very men who wish to be called masters of the synagogue in Moses' seat are involved in lawsuits in the marketplace.

We are commanded in two ways to beware of those who desire vainglory. First, we should not be deceived by their hypocrisy into thinking that what they do is good. Second, we should not be prompted to imitate them out of a vain delight in being praised for the virtues they only pretend to have.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He also especially teaches the Apostles not to associate with the scribes but to imitate Christ Himself. In appointing them as teachers of life's duties, He places others under their authority.ⁱ

The Venerable Bede: They seek not only praise from men but also personal gain. For it then says, "Which devour widows' houses, under the pretence of long prayers." For there are men who, pretending to be righteous, do not hesitate to receive money from people with troubled consciences, as if they would be their advocates in the final judgment. A hand stretched out to the poor always accompanies prayer, but these men spend the night in prayer so that they may take money from the poor.

Theophylact of Ohrid: The scribes would approach women who were left without their husbands' protection, acting as if they were their protectors. By a pretext of prayer, a reverent appearance, and hypocrisy, they would deceive widows and thus devour the homes even of the wealthy.

It goes on: "These shall receive a greater damnation," that is, greater than the other Jews who sinned.