Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 12:40

"they that devour widows` houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation." — Mark 12:40 (ASV)

Since the teachers of the law were not allowed to be paid for their services, they were dependent on the gifts of patrons for their livelihood. Such a system was vulnerable to abuses. Wealthy widows especially were preyed on by the greedy and unscrupulous among these men. Jesus particularly condemned the hypocrisy of their long prayers that were used as a mask for their greed. Jesus promised punishment to all such people—a reference to God’s judgment in the Last Day.