Mark 12:40

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

Which devour {G2719} widows {G5503}' houses {G3614}, and {G2532} for a pretence {G4392} make {G4336} long {G3117} prayers {G4336}: these {G3778} shall receive {G2983} greater {G4055} damnation {G2917}.

who like to swallow up widows' houses while making a show of davvening at great length. Their punishment will be all the worse!"

They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

they that devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.

Commentary

Commentary on Mark 12:40

In Mark 12:40, Jesus delivers a sharp condemnation of certain religious leaders, specifically the scribes, following His warning against their prideful displays in the preceding verses. This verse highlights their severe spiritual and moral failings, warning of the dire consequences they will face.

Context

This verse is part of a broader discourse by Jesus in the Temple, where He challenges the religious establishment of His day. Preceding this verse, Jesus cautions His disciples to be wary of the scribes who love public recognition, prominent seats in synagogues, and greetings in the marketplaces (Mark 12:38). Mark 12:40 then exposes the deeper, insidious nature of their hypocrisy and exploitation, contrasting their outward piety with their inward corruption.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Exploitation of the Vulnerable: The phrase "devour widows' houses" paints a stark picture of financial manipulation and injustice. Widows in ancient society were often among the most vulnerable, lacking male protection and susceptible to economic hardship. These religious leaders, who should have been protectors, instead took advantage of their precarious position, perhaps through legal maneuvering, oppressive loans, or by coercing donations. This act stands in direct opposition to the biblical command to care for the fatherless and the widow (James 1:27).
  • Religious Hypocrisy: Their "long prayers" were not genuine devotion but "for a pretence," meaning an outward show or excuse. They used their religious practices as a cloak to hide their true, exploitative intentions. Jesus frequently condemned such outward displays of piety that lacked inner righteousness and true love for God and neighbor (Matthew 6:5; Matthew 23:14, parallel to Mark 12:40 in some manuscripts). Their prayers were for human admiration, not divine communion.
  • Severe Judgment: The concluding warning, "these shall receive greater damnation," indicates a particularly severe divine judgment. The KJV term "damnation" (Greek: krima) here refers to a weighty "judgment" or "condemnation." Their sin was compounded by their position of religious authority and the trust placed in them by the people. Abusing spiritual leadership for personal gain and exploiting the weak brings a heavier accountability before God (Luke 12:48).

Linguistic Insights

The word "pretence" in KJV Mark 12:40 comes from the Greek prophasis (πρόφασις), which means 'a pretext,' 'an excuse,' or 'an outward show.' It strongly emphasizes that their long prayers were not sincere expressions of faith but a deliberate charade designed to deceive others and appear righteous while committing wicked deeds.

Practical Application

Mark 12:40 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual abuse, hypocrisy, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly under the guise of religion. It calls believers to:

  • Authenticity: To cultivate a faith that is genuine in heart and action, not merely an outward performance for human approval.
  • Compassion: To actively protect and care for the vulnerable, rather than seeking to profit from their weakness.
  • Discernment: To be wary of religious leaders whose words and actions do not align, especially those who prioritize personal gain over selfless service.

This verse reminds us that God sees beyond our outward appearance and judges the motives of the heart, holding those in positions of spiritual influence to a higher standard of accountability.

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

  • Matthew 23:13 (4 votes)

    But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

  • Luke 20:47 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 23:33 (4 votes)

    [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

  • Matthew 6:7 (2 votes)

    But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

  • 2 Timothy 3:6 (1 votes)

    For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

  • Ezekiel 22:25 (1 votes)

    [There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

  • Matthew 11:22 (1 votes)

    But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.