Luke 20:45-47
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus Denounces the Scribes
45 In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and who love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets.(A) 47 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
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Luke 20:45-47
New English Translation
Jesus Warns the Disciples against Pride
45 As[a] all the people were listening, Jesus[b] said to his disciples, 46 “Beware[c] of the experts in the law.[d] They[e] like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings[f] in the marketplaces[g] and the best seats[h] in the synagogues[i] and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They[j] devour[k] widows’ property,[l] and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”
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- Luke 20:45 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Luke 20:45 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 20:46 tn Or “Be on guard against.” This is a present imperative and indicates that pride is something to constantly be on the watch against.
- Luke 20:46 tn Or “of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
- Luke 20:46 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun by the prior phrase.
- Luke 20:46 sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1642; H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.
- Luke 20:46 sn See the note on marketplace in Luke 7:32.
- Luke 20:46 sn See Luke 14:7-14.
- Luke 20:46 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:15.
- Luke 20:47 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 46.
- Luke 20:47 sn How they were able to devour widows’ houses is debated. Did they seek too much for contributions, or take too high a commission for their work, or take homes after debts failed to be paid? There is too little said here to be sure.
- Luke 20:47 tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).
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