Mark 12 38

Mark 12:38 kjv

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Mark 12:38 nkjv

Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,

Mark 12:38 niv

As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,

Mark 12:38 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

Mark 12:38 nlt

Jesus also taught: "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces.

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 38 Meaning

In Mark 12:38, Jesus sternly warns His disciples to "beware" of the scribes, highlighting their pervasive self-exaltation. He points out their characteristic behaviors: desiring to parade in distinguished, long robes to convey piety and status, and craving elaborate public greetings in the bustling marketplaces to be acknowledged and esteemed by others. This warning is a critique of outward religiosity driven by pride, rather than genuine devotion and humble service to God.

Mark 12 38 Context

Mark 12:38 appears towards the end of Jesus' public ministry, shortly before His passion. Jesus is teaching in the temple, engaged in a series of confrontations with the religious authorities of Jerusalem—the chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. These interactions typically involve the religious leaders attempting to trap Jesus with challenging questions about His authority, taxes, resurrection, or the greatest commandment. Having decisively answered all their traps and questions, Jesus now turns the tables. In this immediate context, He has just finished explaining the Shema, emphasizing love for God and neighbor, and silences His adversaries by posing a question about the Christ as David's Lord. Mark 12:38-40 then marks a distinct shift, as Jesus issues a direct and public denouncement of the scribes, condemning their hypocrisy and self-serving religious practices, immediately preceding His commendation of the poor widow's offering. This sets the stage for His profound criticism of the existing religious order and foreshadows the judgment to come.

Mark 12 38 Word analysis

• And in his teaching: The phrase `καὶ ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ` (kai en tē didachē autou) signifies that this warning was an integral part of Jesus' authoritative instruction (`διδαχῇ` - teaching). It highlights that Jesus was not speaking casually, but delivering a profound truth as a master teacher. This indicates that His words carry the weight of divine revelation and a crucial lesson for His disciples.
• he said: `ἔλεγεν` (eleghen) is in the imperfect tense, suggesting continuous or habitual action. Jesus frequently spoke about hypocrisy and the dangers of religious formalism throughout His ministry, making this a consistent theme of His teaching.
• Beware: The Greek `βλέπετε` (blepete) is a strong present active imperative, meaning "look out," "watch out," "be on guard," or "take heed." It is a direct and urgent command to the listeners (plural) to be constantly vigilant against the specified danger. It implies a recognition of a subtle but destructive threat.
• of the scribes: `ἀπὸ τῶν γραμματέων` (apo tōn grammateōn). `Γραμματεῖς` (grammateis) were not priests, but highly respected and learned experts in Jewish Law, responsible for interpreting, copying, and teaching the Torah. They were influential religious leaders and judicial figures in Jewish society. Jesus warns against the source of this corrupting influence, "from the scribes," indicating the danger comes from their example and teachings.
• who like: The Greek `τῶν θελόντων` (tōn thelontōn) is a participle derived from `θέλω` (thelō), meaning "to will, to wish, to desire." It emphasizes the motivation or inclination of the scribes—their deliberate and preferred way of acting, driven by an inner desire for human approval, not by a simple necessity or custom. The critique is about their heart's intention.
• to walk: `περιπατεῖν` (peripatein), an infinitive, means "to walk about" or "to conduct oneself." While literally describing their physical movement, `περιπατέω` often holds a metaphorical sense in the New Testament, referring to one's manner of life or conduct (e.g., Eph 4:1, "walk worthy of the calling"). Here, it encompasses both their literal strutting and their overall way of living their religious life for show.
• in long robes: `ἐν στολαῖς μακραῖς` (en stolais makrais). A `στολή` (stolē) was a long, flowing outer garment. `Μακραῖς` (makrais) means "long." While some long garments were normal attire, the scribes' robes were distinctive, perhaps more elaborate or formal, worn to signify their status, authority, and supposed holiness. These robes served as a visible emblem of their learnedness and religious prestige, consciously chosen for public appearance.
• and like greetings: `καὶ ἀσπασμοὺς` (kai aspasmous). `Ἀσπασμοὺς` (aspasmous) refers to "greetings" or "salutations." These were not casual nods but likely formal, respectful salutes from others, acknowledging the scribes' perceived superior status. The scribes' `love` for these greetings reveals their deep-seated desire for public honor and recognition.
• in the marketplaces: `ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς` (en tais agorais). The `ἀγορά` (agora) was the public square or marketplace, the busiest and most visible place in towns and cities, where people gathered, traded, socialized, and news was disseminated. The scribes desired to be honored precisely in these highly public arenas to maximize their social standing and reinforce their authority before the common people. This indicates a craving for wide, public acclaim.

Words-group analysis

• "Beware of the scribes": This is a direct, imperative warning. Jesus is urging caution, not against all teachers of the law, but against the self-serving and hypocritical tendencies prevalent among some scribes, whose outward religiosity belied an inward spiritual sickness. It suggests their practices are a dangerous example.
• "who like to walk in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces": This phrase precisely defines the nature of the scribes' problem: a conscious desire for outward signs of honor. Their love (`thelontōn`) is for public recognition—manifested in their chosen attire (`stolais makrais`) and the deferential greetings (`aspasmous`) they seek in the most visible public spaces (`agorais`). This highlights their obsession with superficial prestige and their craving for human affirmation rather than divine approval. It critiques their vanity and love of display, which undermines genuine piety.

Mark 12 38 Bonus section

This warning from Jesus is significant not only for identifying hypocritical tendencies among the scribes but also as a fundamental principle for discerning true spiritual leadership from false. Jesus frequently contrasted such self-aggrandizing behavior with true humility and service (e.g., Matt 20:25-28, "whoever would be great among you must be your servant"). The desire for "long robes" and "greetings" symbolizes the lust for prestige and public veneration, which often leads to exploitation of followers (as seen in Mark 12:40 where Jesus condemns their devouring widows' houses). The essence of the warning is a call for integrity—that inner life and outward appearance must align, with the inner devotion to God being primary, fostering humility rather than pride. It challenges believers across all ages to examine their own motives in religious practices, ensuring they are rooted in a genuine love for God and neighbor, free from the snare of human approval and self-glorification.

Mark 12 38 Commentary

Mark 12:38 serves as a potent and concise summary of Jesus' ongoing critique against the hypocrisy prevalent among some religious leaders of His day. The verse unveils the core issue: a piety focused on outward show and human admiration rather than sincere devotion to God. The "long robes" and public "greetings" were not inherently evil, but the desire for them—the deep-seated craving for public validation and self-exaltation—revealed a heart that prioritized worldly status over spiritual truth. Jesus' "beware" is an urgent call to His disciples to discern the deceptive nature of such superficial spirituality and to avoid emulating it. It is a timeless warning against any form of religious practice that becomes a vehicle for personal pride and seeks human applause, rather than the humble service of God and others. The contrast here is between seeking to be seen by man and being known by God.