And the chief seats in the synagogues ,.... Where the rulers of the synagogue, and the elders of the people sat; See Gill on Matthew 23:6 . And the uppermost rooms at feasts ; or the first and chief places where they sat, or rather lay along at public entertainment; See Gill on Matthew 23:6 . read more
The scribes. The profession of scribes, which had existed among the Jews ever since the Captivity, was in itself an honorable and useful profession. And there were members of this learned body who came into contact with the Lord Jesus who showed a candid disposition, a love of the truth, and who evinced respect and admiration for the great Rabbi. Yet some of the most bitter and virulent of our Lord's enemies were of this class. Their superiority to the people was a snare as well as an... read more
These verses are a condensation of the woes recorded at length by St. Matthew ( Matthew 23:1-39 .). And he said unto them in his doctrine ( ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὑτοῦ )—literally, in his teaching— Beware of the scribes which desire ( τῶν θελόντων ) to walk in long robes ( ἐν στολαῖς ). The στόλη was a rich robe which reached down to the ankles, and was adorned with fringes. The scribes took pleasure in this kind of display. The salient points in their character were... read more
Traits of the scribe. I. THE SEEMING GOOD OFTEN TH RI VE AND ARE HONORED. Insight into character is rare; men are judged by the outside, and are taken largely at their own valuation. II. Pretension ever hides emptiness, and often guilt. Fixed for ever for our repugnance, hatred, and contempt is the character of the religious pretender in the Gospel. Men need to be warned that there is more danger to the soul in pretending to a piety we have not got, than in merely having none... read more
Parallel passages: Matthew 23:13-39 ; Luke 20:45-47 .— Warner against the scribes and Pharisees. He warns his disciples against We need daily to pray for preservation from all these.—J. J.G. read more
Mark 12:38-40. Beware of the scribes See that ye do not imitate their hypocrisy, or imbibe their principles, and be on your guard against their insidious counsels and designs. There was an absolute necessity for these repeated cautions of our Lord. For, considering the inveterate prejudices of these scribes against him and his doctrine, it could never be supposed that the common people would receive the gospel till these incorrigible blasphemers of it were brought to just disgrace. Yet he... read more
129. More about scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)Instead of teaching only the law of Moses, the scribes and Pharisees added countless laws of their own. Instead of making the people’s load lighter, they made it heavier. People could profit from listening to the scribes’ teaching of Moses’ law, but they were not to copy the scribes’ behaviour (Matthew 23:1-4).Jesus gave two specific reasons for his condemnation of the scribes. First, they wanted to make a... read more
chief seats . See note on Matthew 23:6 . uppermost rooms = first couches or places. at = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same as in. Mark 12:17 . read more
39. And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms—or positions. at feasts—On this love of distinction, see on :-; :-. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 12:35-40
Here, I. Christ shows the people how weak and defective the scribes were in their preaching, and how unable to solve the difficulties that occurred in the scriptures of the Old Testament, which they undertook to expound. Of this he gives an instance, which is not so fully related here as it was in Matthew. Christ was teaching in the temple: many things he said, which were not written; but notice is taken of this, because it will stir us up to enquire concerning Christ, and to enquire of him;... read more