Mark 12:38

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 widow's houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.

The sentiments of these verses are found in Matthew's extensive account of the seven woes pronounced upon the Pharisees, most of the scribes belonging to that party (Matthew 23). In the same context as "the woes," Mark here abbreviated a long sermon, reducing it to this single small paragraph; and yet it quite accurately catches the sentiment of the longer passage in Matthew. On the other hand, it is sheer nonsense to suppose that Matthew expanded these few lines into the dramatic, well organized sermon he quoted Jesus as delivering in this same context.

Who desire ... This means that they "loved" such things, thus exposing their sin as resident in the things they loved, as so strongly stated in John 5:44 and John 12:43.

Long robes ... were worn by scholars and greatly coveted as marks of distinction.

Salutations in the marketplaces ... Such greetings had become with them the food of vanity and conceit (Matthew 23:7,8).

Chief seats in the synagogues ... were occupied by the scribes while the congregation stood!

Chief places at feasts ... Such dignitaries as the scribes were held to be, always occupied the dais or sat at the speaker's table.

Thus, as Sanner said, "There were four things these men liked, all of which indicated their hunger for recognition and preference."[15]

They that devour widow's houses ... This was accomplished by charging excessive fees and through the abuse of hospitality and generosity.

And for a pretence make long prayers ... Nothing is quite as showy as a long prayer, and few things any more disgusting. When a popular faith-healer led prayer at the Democratic convention which first nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt for president, it (the prayer) last 31 minutes and 15 seconds; and the Cardinal who led the inaugural prayer at the installation of President John F. Kennedy droned on for 14 minutes, telling the Lord the date of the occasion four different times! See 1 Thessalonians 2:5 RSV).

Shall receive greater condemnation ... As throughout the holy Scriptures, the severest judgments are pronounced against pride, vainglory, and pretense.