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those who devour widows` houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
Verse Takeaways
1
Piety as a Mask for Greed
Commentators explain that the scribes used their religious authority to exploit vulnerable widows. Under the pretense of offering legal or spiritual counsel, they would mismanage or seize the widows' property. Jesus condemns this hypocrisy, where outward acts of devotion, like long prayers, are used to conceal greed and injustice.
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7
18th Century
Presbyterian
Which devour widows' houses. Which devour the families of widows, or the means of supporting their families. This they did under pretense …
Devour widows' houses (ο κατεσθοντες τας οικιας των χηρων). New sentence in the nominative. Terrible pictures of civil wrong by gr…
19th Century
Anglican
In his doctrine.—Better, in His teaching. See Notes on Matthew 23:1-7. St. Mark’s report is characteristically brief as compared …
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Baptist
And the common people heard him gladly. And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love…
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. Suc…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Which devour widows' houses (See Gill on Matthew 23:14).
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When we pay attention to what the Scriptures declare regarding the person and offices of Christ, we will be led to confess him as our Lord and God;…
