False Teachers and Widows

Introduction:

Scripture Reading:

Mark 12:38–44 ESV

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have 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.” And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Beware of False Teachers because of their ambition, pride, and greed. “As one of their functions, scribes serve as consultants in estate planning for widows. Their role gives them the opportunity to convince lonely and susceptible women that their money and property should either be given to the scribe for his holy work or to the Temple for its holy ministries. In either case the scribe gains personally.” McKennaWe who pray publicly must be careful not to do it for show. Harry Potter, Skywalker, Avenger. Jesus enemies are God’s enemies, and they are destined for destruction. Biblical Theology10 It could be that they were exploiting the estate of widows for whom they had been appointed guardians.11 Or Jesus may be using hyperbole to describe those who abuse the hospitality and generosity of widows.12Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Mark 14:61 ESVBut he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

The Gospel of Mark 11. The Warning Concerning the Scribes. Ch. 12:38–40The scribe was greeted with titles of deepest respect: “Rabbi,” “Father,” “Master,” and there is evidence that in the first century A.D. the designation “Rabbi” was undergoing a transition from its former status as a general title of honor to one reserved exclusively for ordained scribes.76

I do not call Valor, my Lord. Lord Valor.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Widow’s Two Cents’ Worth (12:38–44)“The most important seats in the synagogues” refers to the benches along the walls of the synagogues, and especially to the dais at the front of the synagogue, which faced the congregation seated on the floor in the middle of the synagogue.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Widow’s Two Cents’ Worth (12:38–44)The judgment of Jesus on those who practice religion for the purpose of self-advancement is blunt and stern: they “ ‘will be severely punished.’ ”

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Widow’s Two Cents’ Worth (12:38–44)For Jesus, the value of a gift is not the amount given, but the cost to the giver.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Widow’s Two Cents’ Worth (12:38–44)In the temple, others gave what they could spare, but the poor widow spared nothing. Others gave from their surplus, but she gave from her need, “ ‘all she had to live on.’ ”

The New American Commentary: Mark (7) About the Evils of Scribism (12:38–40)The term “flowing robes” evidently refers to the tallith, a shawl worn during formal prayer and other religious acts in the synagogues. Some scribes may have worn these in public to attract attention. The greetings in the marketplaces were not ordinary greetings but expressions of deference to a religious authority.