Mark 12:38–40

Warnings About Experts in the Law

12:38 In his teaching Jesus73 also said, “Watch out for the experts in the law.74 They like walking75 around in long robes and elaborate greetings76 in the marketplaces, 12:39 and the best seats in the synagogues77 and the places of honor at banquets. 12:40 They78 devour widows’ property,79 and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment.”

73	tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
74	tn Or “for the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
75	tn In Greek this is the only infinitive in vv. 38–39. It would be awkward in English to join an infinitive to the following noun clauses, so this has been translated as a gerund.
76	sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.
77	sn See the note on synagogue in 1:21.
78	tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 38.
79	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).