Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
Parallel translations
- WEB “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts;
- BSB “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.
- NKJV “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
- NASB “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,
- NLT “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus warns against the scribes who love status, public honor, and the best seats.
Overview
He exposes religious leaders who use their position to gain admiration rather than to serve God and others. Their flowing robes, sought-after greetings, and prized seats reveal hearts craving human praise. True discipleship under Christ takes the lowly path of humble service, not self-exaltation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Mark 12:38–39And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
- Luke 11:43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
- Luke 14:7And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
- Phil 2:3–5Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Matt 16:6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
- Luke 12:1In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- Matt 23:5–7But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
- 2 Tim 4:15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
- 3 Jn 1:9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
- Rom 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
- Prov 29:23A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
- Mark 8:15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
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Original language
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