Mark 12:38

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,

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846} in {G1722} his {G846} doctrine {G1322}, Beware {G991} of {G575} the scribes {G1122}, which {G3588} love {G2309} to go {G4043} in {G1722} long clothing {G4749}, and {G2532} love salutations {G783} in {G1722} the marketplaces {G58},

As he taught them, he said, "Watch out for the kind of Torah-teachers who like to walk around in robes and be greeted deferentially in the marketplaces,

In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces,

And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, andto have salutations in the marketplaces,

Commentary

Mark 12:38 presents a direct warning from Jesus to His disciples and the crowds regarding the religious leaders of His day, specifically the scribes. This verse captures Jesus' insightful critique of outward religious display and the pursuit of human recognition over genuine devotion and humility. It serves as a timeless caution against spiritual pride and hypocrisy.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' final public teachings in Jerusalem, delivered in the Temple courts just days before His crucifixion. Following several intense debates with various religious factions attempting to trap Him (including the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees), Jesus turns His attention to the scribes. He had just finished challenging them on the identity of the Messiah in Mark 12:35-37. The warning in verse 38 initiates a broader condemnation of their practices that continues into Mark 12:39-40, where He denounces their devouring of widows' houses and their long prayers for a show.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy vs. Authenticity: Jesus exposes the scribes' preoccupation with outward appearances and public acclaim, highlighting a disconnect between their external religiosity and their internal character. This theme is central to understanding Jesus' ministry, which consistently called for inner transformation over ritualistic adherence.
  • Pride and Status Seeking: The scribes' desire for "long clothing" (distinctive robes signifying authority and piety) and "salutations in the marketplaces" (public greetings and deference) reveals a deep-seated pride and a craving for social status within their community. Jesus warns against this self-exalting spirit.
  • Warning Against Misleading Leaders: Jesus' instruction to "beware" is a strong admonition, urging His followers to discern and avoid the influence of leaders whose motives are impure and whose practices are contrary to true godliness. This warning extends beyond the scribes to any who might lead others astray through their pursuit of personal glory.

Linguistic Insights

  • Scribes (Greek: grammateis): These were not merely writers but highly educated experts in Jewish Law, responsible for interpreting, teaching, and administering it. They held significant social and religious authority.
  • Long clothing (Greek: stolai): Refers to flowing, dignified robes worn by those of high status. While not inherently wrong, the scribes' "love to go in" them suggests an excessive pride in their appearance and the status it conferred, perhaps even making them ostentatious.
  • Salutations (Greek: aspasmous): These were formal greetings and expressions of honor. To "love" them in the "marketplaces" (public squares where people gathered) indicates a desire for public recognition and deference, valuing human praise over divine approval.

Practical Application

Jesus' warning to "beware of the scribes" resonates deeply in every age. It challenges us to examine our own motives, especially in matters of faith and service. Are we seeking genuine transformation and humble service, or are we more concerned with how others perceive our piety? This verse encourages:

  • Self-Examination: To honestly assess whether our actions are driven by a desire for God's glory or by a craving for human applause and recognition.
  • Discernment: To critically evaluate religious leaders and teachings, looking beyond outward show to discern true spiritual fruit and humility, as Jesus taught throughout His ministry (Matthew 7:15-20).
  • Humility: To embrace the spirit of humility that Jesus consistently modeled and taught, reminding us that true greatness in God's kingdom comes through serving others, not through seeking personal acclaim (Matthew 23:12).

Ultimately, Mark 12:38 calls believers to an authentic faith that values inner righteousness and humble service above all outward displays.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 20:45 (8 votes)

    Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

  • Luke 20:47 (8 votes)

    Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

  • Matthew 23:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

  • Matthew 23:7 (7 votes)

    And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

  • Luke 11:43 (7 votes)

    Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

  • Matthew 6:5 (5 votes)

    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

  • Luke 14:7 (1 votes)

    ¶ And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,