Mark 12 40

Mark 12:40 kjv

Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Mark 12:40 nkjv

who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

Mark 12:40 niv

They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."

Mark 12:40 esv

who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

Mark 12:40 nlt

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."

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 40 Meaning

Mark 12:40 denounces scribes who exploit vulnerable widows under the guise of religious piety. Jesus exposes their hypocrisy: they present a façade of godliness through long public prayers, while privately oppressing the defenseless for personal gain. This grave sin warrants a more severe divine judgment.

Mark 12 40 Context

This verse is part of Jesus' final public teachings in the Jerusalem Temple complex, during the week leading up to His crucifixion. Immediately preceding this verse (Mark 12:38-39), Jesus had warned His disciples to "beware of the scribes" (τῶν γραμματέων - tōn grammatéōn), detailing their desire for prominence, greetings, chief seats, and places of honor. Mark 12:40 expands on the egregious hypocrisy of these religious leaders, moving beyond mere self-exaltation to active exploitation. This teaching serves as a sharp denunciation of the prevailing religious establishment's moral corruption. It sets the stage for the very next event, the account of the poor widow (Mark 12:41-44), which provides a stark contrast, showcasing genuine sacrificial giving from a person the scribes might typically exploit. Historically, scribes were learned interpreters of the Law and could act as legal advisors or custodians of property, including for widows who lacked male family protection. Their societal position gave them immense influence, which some abused.

Mark 12 40 Word analysis

• They (οὗτοι - houtoi): Refers directly to the "scribes" mentioned in the preceding verses (Mk 12:38-39). This highlights that Jesus' strong condemnation is aimed specifically at the powerful, privileged religious leaders of His day, not a general group. Their actions contradict their sacred calling.
• devour (κατεσθίουσιν - katesthiousin): A strong, visceral verb meaning to consume, to eat up completely, or to exploit. It implies an aggressive, predatory action. It paints a picture of rapacious individuals consuming the very livelihood and assets of others, reducing them to nothing. This is not just taking, but thoroughly despoiling.
• widows' (τὰς χήρας - tas chēras): Widows in the ancient world were among the most vulnerable members of society, often without legal or financial protection and dependent on the kindness of others or the state. The Law (Torah) repeatedly commanded care and protection for widows (Ex 22:22, Dt 14:29, 24:19-21), making their exploitation a grave offense against God's explicit commands and His own character as a defender of the helpless.
• houses (οἰκίας - oikias): Not merely the physical dwelling, but encompasses the entire estate, wealth, and inheritance. It represents their livelihood, security, and future. By devouring their houses, the scribes were effectively taking away everything these vulnerable women possessed.
• and for a pretense (καὶ προφάσει - kai prophasei): The Greek term prophasis means a pretext, an excuse, a false appearance, or a disguise. It reveals the deliberate deception involved. Their actions were cloaked under a guise of holiness or concern, making the exploitation even more sinister.
• make long (μακρὰ - makra) prayers (προσευχόμενοι - proseuchomenoi): This refers to extended public prayers. While prayer itself is commendable, the scribes' intention was not genuine devotion but theatrical performance. They prolonged their prayers in public to create an impression of deep piety and righteousness, gaining respect and trust, which they then leveraged for illicit gain. This public display was a means to deceive and exploit.
• These (Οὗτοι - houtoi): Reemphasizes the specific group, the scribes already identified, underscoring their accountability.
• will receive (λήψονται - lēpsontai): A future indicative verb, denoting certainty. It signifies an inevitable, divine judgment awaits them. This is not a possibility but a guarantee of consequence.
• greater (περισσότερον - perissoteron): Means more abundant, more severe, or a greater measure. The punishment will be unusually harsh due to the compounding factors of their sin: exploitation of the most vulnerable, hypocrisy, and perversion of their religious office. It implies a punishment proportionate to the depth of their depravity and betrayal of trust.
• condemnation (κρίμα - krima): Refers to a sentence, judgment, or verdict. It denotes a judicial pronouncement of guilt and consequent punishment. This judgment is not merely disciplinary but judicial and severe, highlighting the eternal consequences of their actions.

Word-groups by word-groups analysis:

• "They devour widows' houses": This phrase instantly reveals the primary act of exploitation. It's direct, stark, and accusatory, presenting a clear picture of unjust gain at the expense of the weakest. It challenges the societal perception of these scribes as honorable figures.
• "and for a pretense make long prayers": This phrase unmasks their profound hypocrisy. The "long prayers" (a superficial show of piety) are juxtaposed with the "devouring of widows' houses" (a heinous act of injustice). The "pretense" makes their actions doubly reprehensible, as they manipulate spiritual acts for earthly, evil ends. This illustrates that outwardly religious practices mean nothing to God if the heart is not right and actions are immoral (Isa 29:13, Mk 7:6).
• "These will receive greater condemnation": This climactic statement pronounces divine judgment. The "greater condemnation" underscores the heightened severity of their impending judgment because they combine spiritual abuse with material exploitation of the defenseless, all under the cloak of religious authority. Their sin is exacerbated by their status as supposed teachers of God's law.

Mark 12 40 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates Jesus' consistent critique of the religious establishment, not merely for their doctrinal errors but, more potently, for their moral failure and abuse of authority. The "greater condemnation" emphasizes that God holds those in positions of religious leadership to a higher standard (cf. Jas 3:1). Their sin was magnified by the vulnerable status of their victims (widows) and the manipulative use of religious practices (long prayers) to facilitate their exploitation. It reflects a deeper spiritual malaise where external conformity replaces internal transformation, ultimately leading to spiritual fraud. Jesus highlights that those who exploit God's people, especially the vulnerable, will face a stricter judgment than others, as they not only violate justice but also desecrate the name of God by their false piety.

Mark 12 40 Commentary

Mark 12:40 offers one of Jesus' most severe indictments against religious hypocrisy and predatory behavior. The scribes, revered for their religious learning, exploited their position to defraud vulnerable widows, all while projecting an image of piety through ostentatious prayers. Jesus unequivocally exposes this fraudulent combination of spiritual pretense and material avarice. The phrase "devour widows' houses" is particularly damning, suggesting a complete and ruthless consumption of their livelihoods, while the "long prayers" highlight the deceitful spiritual mask they wore. The consequence—"greater condemnation"—reveals God's fierce intolerance for those who use religion as a shield for oppression. This serves as a timeless warning that genuine faith is characterized by righteous action, compassion for the weak, and integrity, rather than outward displays of piety for personal gain or societal acclaim. True religion manifests in care for others (Jas 1:27), especially the needy, contrasting sharply with those who exploit them under a cloak of piety.