Jesus warns us to watch out not just for outward displays of piety, but for the "desire" behind them. The issue isn't wearing robes or receiving greetings, but the inner longing for recognition that these practices fulfill, revealing a heart more concerned with appearing righteous than being righteous.
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Jesus had silenced the Sadducees with a clever question about the resurrection, showing his divine wisdom. Now, he turns his attention to the scribes, religious leaders who were meant to guide people but often sought personal glory instead. This warning about their love for public honor and prominent positions directly follows his defense of the resurrection and his own divine authority.
Jesus warns His followers about a specific group: the scribes. What made them so dangerous, and why does Jesus focus on their outward appearance and public interactions?
Jesus is exposing the heart of the scribes, showing that their outward actions were driven by a desire for human praise and status.
Seeking Applause
Jesus highlights these things not because they are inherently wrong, but because the scribes' motive was wrong. They were performing religion for an audience, seeking honor from people rather than from God.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus tells His listeners to 'Beware!' of the scribes. Why is this warning so urgent, especially when these men were supposed to be spiritual guides?
Jesus' warning is grave because these religious leaders, who should have been pointing people toward God, were instead leading them astray through their hypocrisy.
The Danger of Bad Examples
This warning is not just about the scribes of Jesus' day but a timeless caution against any who would present a facade of godliness while lacking genuine devotion.
Understand the original words
prosechete · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, this is a command to be on guard, exercise caution, or watch out for danger, often spiritual or moral in nature. It implies staying alert to avoid being led astray or deceived.
grammateōn · Greek Noun
Refers to the professional class of Jewish scholars who studied, copied, and interpreted the Law of Moses. By the time of Jesus, they were influential religious authorities often associated with legalism and rigid adherence to tradition.
stolais · Greek Noun
Stately garments worn by people of status or religious authority; in this context, they are used as a public display of prestige and outward religious piety to gain recognition from others.
aspasmous · Greek Noun
In the New Testament, refers to the public acknowledgement and reverence sought by religious leaders. Jesus criticizes this when it is motivated by a desire for human praise rather than humble service.
synagōgais · Greek Noun
The primary centers for Jewish communal worship, scripture reading, and teaching outside the Temple. The "best seats" denoted positions of social prominence and authority.
katesthiousin · Greek Verb
To exploit, consume, or ruin someone, especially the vulnerable. Jesus uses this metaphor to illustrate how corrupt leaders abuse their position to financially strip those who are legally or socially unprotected.
chērōn · Greek Noun
In the Old and New Testaments, widows are the quintessential example of the vulnerable and marginalized. God consistently commands His people to protect and provide for them, making their exploitation a grievous sin.
prophasei · Greek Noun
A deceptive appearance or excuse offered to mask true intentions. It involves performative actions done to appear righteous before men while lacking genuine godliness before God.
krima · Greek Noun
The ultimate judgment, sentence, or verdict pronounced by God upon the wicked or those who persist in hypocrisy. It refers to the accountability one faces for their actions before the divine Judge.
Jesus' warning here reflects a deep concern that the religious leaders, particularly the scribes, had become more focused on status and outward appearances than on genuine devotion and serving the people.
c. 450 BC
Ezra Reforms and Scribe's Role
Ezra, a scribe, leads a religious revival, emphasizing the Law. Scribes begin to gain prominence as interpreters and teachers of the Law, a role that would evolve significantly.
c. 175 BC
Hellenistic Influence Grows
Increasing Greek cultural and political influence leads to tension. Some Jewish leaders adopt Hellenistic customs, while others fiercely resist, highlighting the importance of religious and social distinctiveness.
c. 63 BC
Roman Intervention in Judea
Roman general Pompey intervenes in a dispute, bringing Judea under Roman influence. This political shift impacts Jewish leadership and creates a complex environment for religious authorities.
c. AD 25-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and challenging the established religious authorities, including the scribes and Pharisees, on their interpretation and practice of the Law.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Denounces Hypocrisy
Jesus directly confronts the scribes and Pharisees about their hypocrisy, criticizing their outward displays of piety that mask inner corruption and their love of public honor. This verse is part of that ongoing critique.
c. AD 60s
Gospel of Luke Written
Luke writes his Gospel, likely in the 60s AD, to provide a historically accurate account of Jesus' life and teachings for a Gentile audience, including this warning.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' warning in Luke, detailing the same outward displays of religious pride and love for public honor that the scribes exhibited.
Luke 11:43Jesus rebukes the Pharisees here for loving 'the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces,' echoing the specific behaviors warned against in Luke 20:46.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse highlights that obedience to God is far more valuable than outward religious acts or sacrifices, contrasting with the scribes' focus on external show.
Proverbs 16:18This proverb directly warns that 'pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' capturing the essence of the danger Jesus warns against concerning the scribes' pride.
pooleLuke 20:46: "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;"
See Poole on "Luke 20:45"
clarkeLuke 20:46: "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;"
Beware of the scribes - Take heed that ye be not seduced by those who should show you the way of salvation. See on Matthew 23:4-14 (note). 1. How it can be supposed that the ancient Jewish Church had no distinct notion of the resurrection of the dead is to me truly surprising. The justice of God, so peculiarly conspic…
Jesus warns us to watch out not just for outward displays of piety, but for the "desire" behind them. The issue isn't wearing robes or receiving greetings, but the inner longing for recognition that these practices fulfill, revealing a heart more concerned with appearing righteous than being righteous.
Just before this, Jesus had silenced the Sadducees with a clever question about the resurrection, showing his divine wisdom. Now, he turns his attention to the scribes, religious leaders who were meant to guide people but often sought personal glory instead. This warning about their love for public honor and prominent positions directly follows his defense of the resurrection and his own divine authority.
Just before this, Jesus had silenced the Sadducees with a clever question about the resurrection, showing his divine wisdom. Now, he turns his attention to the scribes, religious leaders who were meant to guide people but often sought personal glory instead. This warning about their love for public honor and prominent positions directly follows his defense of the resurrection and his own divine authority.
"“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. T…" — Jesus warns us to watch out not just for outward displays of piety, but for the "desire" behind them. The issue isn't wearing robes or receiving greetings, but the inner longing for recognition that…
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Last reviewed October 2026
