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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 12:40 They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/12-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/41_Mrk_12_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 12:40 - Warning against the Scribes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. 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These men will be punished most severely.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/mark/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.” <a href="/esv/mark/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” <a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> those devouring the houses of widows, and praying at great length as a pretext. These will receive greater judgment." <a href="/kjv/mark/12.htm">King James Bible</a> Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. <a href="/nkjv/mark/12.htm">New King James Version</a> who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/nasb_/mark/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.” <a href="/nasb/mark/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> who devour widows&#8217 houses, and for appearance&#8217s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/mark/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/lsb/mark/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/amp/mark/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> [these scribes] who devour (confiscate) widows’ houses, and offer long prayers for appearance’s sake [to impress others]. These men will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/csb/mark/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.” <a href="/hcsb/mark/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They devour widows&#8217 houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher punishment.&#8221 <a href="/asv/mark/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> they that devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation. <a href="/cev/mark/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But they cheat widows out of their homes and pray long prayers just to show off. They will be punished most of all. <a href="/erv/mark/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> they which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation. <a href="/gwt/mark/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They rob widows by taking their houses and then say long prayers to make themselves look good. The scribes will receive the most severe punishment." <a href="/gnt/mark/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> They take advantage of widows and rob them of their homes, and then make a show of saying long prayers. Their punishment will be all the worse!" <a href="/isv/mark/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> They devour widows' houses and say long prayers to cover it up. They will receive greater condemnation!" <a href="/msb/mark/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.? <a href="/net/mark/12.htm">NET Bible</a> They devour widows' property, and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment." <a href="/nheb/mark/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> those who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." <a href="/wbt/mark/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. <a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment." <a href="/web/mark/12.htm">World English Bible</a> those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/mark/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> who are devouring the widows’ houses, and for a pretense are making long prayers; these will receive more abundant judgment.” <a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> those devouring the houses of widows, and praying at great length as a pretext. These will receive greater judgment." <a href="/ylt/mark/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> who are devouring the widows' houses, and for a pretence are making long prayers; these shall receive more abundant judgment.' <a href="/slt/mark/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> They eating in widows' houses, and praying long for a pretext: these shall receive more abundant judgment.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/mark/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment. <a href="/cpdv/mark/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> who devour the houses of widows under the pretense of long prayers. These shall receive the more extensive judgment.” <a href="/nabre/mark/12.htm">New American Bible</a> They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” <a href="/nrsvce/mark/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/mark/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Those who embezzle the property of widows, with the pretense of making long prayers. They shall receive greater judgment. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> They who devour widows' houses by an offering for making their long prayers; they shall receive the greater judgment.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/mark/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> who eat up the houses of widows, and, as a pretext, make long prayers: these shall receive more abundant condemnation.<CM> <a href="/godbey/mark/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>They are those devouring the houses of widows, and making long prayers through pretext; they shall receive the greater judgment.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/mark/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> who devour widows? houses, and in pretence make long prayers: such shall receive greater damnation.<CM> <a href="/mace/mark/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> who yet devour widows estates under the shew of making long prayers, such shall receive greater condemnation. <a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment." <a href="/worrell/mark/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/mark/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>who devour widows houses, and for a shew <Fr>of religion<FR> make long prayers: these shall receive <Fr>the<FR> heavier judgement.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/mark/12-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=4242" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">Warning against the Scribes</a> …39and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">They</a> <a href="/greek/2719.htm" title="2719: katesthiontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure. From kata and esthio; to eat down, i.e. Devour.">defraud</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5503.htm" title="5503: chērōn (N-GFP) -- Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.">widows</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of their</a> <a href="/greek/3614.htm" title="3614: oikias (N-AFP) -- From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.">houses,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4392.htm" title="4392: prophasei (N-DFS) -- A pretext, an excuse. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext.">for a show</a> <a href="/greek/4336.htm" title="4336: proseuchomenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.">make lengthy prayers.</a> <a href="/greek/3117.htm" title="3117: makra (Adj-ANP) -- Long, distant, far; of long duration. From mekos; long (distant) or time (neuter plural)."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">These men</a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: lēmpsontai (V-FIM-3P) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">will receive</a> <a href="/greek/4053.htm" title="4053: perissoteron (Adj-ANS-C) -- From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.">greater</a> <a href="/greek/2917.htm" title="2917: krima (N-ANS) -- From krino; a decision (crime).">condemnation.” </a> 41As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Luke 20:47</a> They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a> Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. <a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a> The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a> Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” <a href="/jeremiah/7-6.htm">Jeremiah 7:6</a> if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a> This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a> Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” <a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10</a> Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a> “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25-28</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. ... <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39-42</a> Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. / You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? / But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you. ... <a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a> Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ... <a href="/2_peter/2-3.htm">2 Peter 2:3</a> In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">2 Peter 2:14</a> Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.devour.<a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25</a> There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.<a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a> And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.<a href="/micah/3-1.htm">Micah 3:1-4</a> And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? … long.<a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a> But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.<a href="/matthew/11-22.htm">Matthew 11:22-24</a> But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you… <a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33</a> Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/8-8.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Appearance's</a> <a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Condemnation</a> <a href="/mark/3-29.htm">Damnation</a> <a href="/mark/4-4.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/mark/12-34.htm">Far</a> <a href="/mark/12-31.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/mark/10-23.htm">Hardly</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-22.htm">Heavier</a> <a href="/mark/10-30.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/matthew/12-37.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/mark/6-11.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/acts/21-10.htm">Lengthy</a> <a href="/mark/9-38.htm">Making</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Mask</a> <a href="/mark/1-44.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/mark/5-23.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Pretence</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Pretense</a> <a href="/job/19-28.htm">Pretext</a> <a href="/mark/12-7.htm">Property</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-3.htm">Punished</a> <a href="/mark/7-10.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/mark/12-2.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/mark/10-29.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/james/3-1.htm">Severer</a> <a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Show</a> <a href="/matthew/23-24.htm">Swallow</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Widows</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/10-2.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Appearance's</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Condemnation</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Damnation</a> <a href="/luke/15-30.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Far</a> <a href="/luke/7-28.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/mark/15-44.htm">Hardly</a> <a href="/acts/15-28.htm">Heavier</a> <a href="/luke/7-25.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/mark/16-16.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/luke/10-14.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Lengthy</a> <a href="/mark/15-7.htm">Making</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Mask</a> <a href="/luke/2-24.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/luke/1-10.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/acts/27-30.htm">Pretence</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Pretense</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Pretext</a> <a href="/luke/5-3.htm">Property</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Punished</a> <a href="/mark/15-6.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/mark/15-23.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/mark/13-9.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Severer</a> <a href="/mark/13-22.htm">Show</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Swallow</a> <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Widows</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 12</div>1. <a href="/mark/12-1.htm">Jesus tells the parable of the tenants</a> 13. <a href="/mark/12-13.htm">He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;</a> 18. <a href="/mark/12-18.htm">convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;</a> 28. <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;</a> 35. <a href="/mark/12-35.htm">refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;</a> 38. <a href="/mark/12-38.htm">bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;</a> 41. <a href="/mark/12-41.htm">and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The Mosaic Law emphasized the protection of widows (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>), and the prophets often condemned those who exploited them (<a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17, 23</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/7-6.htm">Jeremiah 7:6</a>). The religious leaders, who were supposed to uphold these laws, are accused of doing the opposite. The term "defraud" suggests deceit and manipulation, indicating that these leaders were exploiting their positions of trust to take advantage of widows, possibly through legal manipulation or coercion. This behavior is a direct violation of God's commands and reflects a deep moral corruption.and for a show make lengthy prayers The practice of making lengthy prayers for show highlights the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Prayer, intended as a sincere communication with God, was being used as a tool for self-promotion and public admiration. This behavior is reminiscent of Jesus' earlier teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, where He warns against praying like the hypocrites who love to be seen by others (<a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">Matthew 6:5-6</a>). The emphasis on external appearances rather than genuine piety is a recurring theme in Jesus' critiques of the Pharisees and scribes. This practice also reflects a misunderstanding of the nature of God, who values sincerity and humility over outward displays of religiosity.These men will receive greater condemnation.” The phrase "greater condemnation" implies a more severe judgment for those who, despite their knowledge of the law and their positions of authority, choose to exploit and deceive. This echoes <a href="/james/3.htm">James 3:1</a>, which warns that teachers will be judged more strictly. The concept of varying degrees of judgment is consistent with other biblical teachings, such as <a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a>, where Jesus speaks of servants receiving different levels of punishment based on their knowledge and actions. The religious leaders' actions are particularly egregious because they not only fail to protect the vulnerable but actively harm them, all while maintaining a facade of righteousness. This serves as a warning about the dangers of hypocrisy and the responsibility that comes with spiritual leadership.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in the Gospel of Mark, who is teaching in the temple courts and warning against the hypocrisy of the scribes. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scribes.htm">Scribes</a> Jewish religious leaders and experts in the Law, who are criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and exploitation of vulnerable people. 3. <a href="/topical/w/widows.htm">Widows</a> Representing the vulnerable and marginalized in society, often without a male protector or provider, making them susceptible to exploitation. 4. <a href="/topical/t/temple_courts.htm">Temple Courts</a> The setting of Jesus' teaching, a place of religious instruction and worship in Jerusalem. 5. <a href="/topical/c/condemnation.htm">Condemnation</a> The divine judgment that Jesus declares will be greater for those who exploit others under the guise of piety.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_in_leadership.htm">Hypocrisy in Leadership</a> Religious leaders are held to a high standard and must avoid hypocrisy. True leadership serves others rather than exploiting them. <a href="/topical/c/care_for_the_vulnerable.htm">Care for the Vulnerable</a> Christians are called to protect and care for the vulnerable, such as widows and orphans, reflecting God's heart for justice. <a href="/topical/a/authentic_worship.htm">Authentic Worship</a> Lengthy prayers or religious rituals are meaningless if they are not accompanied by genuine love and justice. <a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a> God sees and will judge the exploitation of the vulnerable. Believers should live with an awareness of God's justice. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Believers should examine their own lives for hypocrisy and ensure their actions align with their professed beliefs.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 12</a> <a href="/q/what_is_'great_judgment'_in_ezekiel_25_11.htm">Do they exploit and take advantage of widows?</a> <a href="/q/do_they_exploit_widows.htm">Do they exploit and take advantage of widows?</a> <a href="/q/was_jesus_in_the_tomb_3_days_nights.htm">Was Jesus in the tomb for three days and three nights? (Matthew 12:40 vs. Mark 15:42-47)</a> <a href="/q/why_does_jesus_seem_contradictory_here.htm">Why does Jesus appear contradictory when He says, 'He who is not with me is against me' (Matthew 12:30) but also, 'He who is not against us is for us' (Mark 9:40)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(40) Which devour widow's houses.--Here the word has a special force as coming after the mention of the feasts. They seek the highest places at such banquets, our Lord seems to say, and when there, this is what they feast on. The special charge is not reported by St. Matthew in this connection, but occurs in <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm" title="Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.">Matthew 23:14</a>, where see Note. The better MSS., indeed, omit it even there. The relative pronoun gives a wrong idea of the construction. We have really a new sentence. "They that devour . . . these shall receive . . ."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 40. - There is a change in the construction here, which is not marked in the Authorized Version. The sentence in this fortieth verse should stand alone, and be read thus: They which devour (οἱ κατεσθίοντες) widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation. The sentence thus read is far more graphic. The statement thus becomes indeed more general, but the reference is still to the scribes who through their avarice swallowed up the property of helpless widows, and through their hypocrisy, in the hope of thus more effectually imposing upon their victims, lengthened out their prayers. Greater condemnation. The word in the Greek is κρίμα, that is, "judgment." A severer sentence would fall upon them in the day of judgment and a heavier condemnation, because, under the semblance of piety, they practiced iniquity, and indulged their avarice under the mask of religion. <a href="/commentaries/mark/12-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. defraud κατεσθίοντες (katesthiontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> To eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure. From kata and esthio; to eat down, i.e. Devour. widows χηρῶν (chērōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5503.htm">Strong's 5503: </a> Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively. [of their] τὰς (tas) Article - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. houses, οἰκίας (oikias) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3614.htm">Strong's 3614: </a> From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. for a show προφάσει (prophasei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4392.htm">Strong's 4392: </a> A pretext, an excuse. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext. make lengthy prayers. προσευχόμενοι (proseuchomenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. These [men] οὗτοι (houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. will receive λήμψονται (lēmpsontai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. greater περισσότερον (perissoteron) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_4053.htm">Strong's 4053: </a> From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence. condemnation.” κρίμα (krima) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2917.htm">Strong's 2917: </a> From krino; a decision ('crime'). <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/mark/12-40.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 12:40 Those who devour widows' houses and (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/12-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 12:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 12:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/12-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 12:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 12:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>