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,

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations

¶ And he said vnto them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which loue to goe in long clothing, and loue salutations in the market places,
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

In His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and {like} respectful greetings in the market places,
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and `to have' salutations in the marketplaces,
- American Standard Version (1901)

And in his teaching he said, Be on your watch against the scribes, whose pleasure it is to go about in long robes and be respected in the market-places,
- Basic English Bible

And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and salutations in the marketplaces,
- Darby Bible

And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market-places,
- Webster's Bible

Moreover in the course of His teaching He said, "Be on your guard against the Scribes who like to walk about in long robes and to be bowed to in places of public resort,
- Weymouth Bible

In his teaching he said to them, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,
- World English Bible

And he seide to hem in his techyng, Be ye war of scribis, that wolen wandre in stolis,
- Wycliffe Bible

and he was saying to them in his teaching, `Beware of the scribes, who will in long robes to walk, and love salutations in the market-places,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Mark 12:38


12:38 Beware of the scribes - There was an absolute necessity for these repeated cautions. For, considering their inveterate prejudices against Christ, it could never be supposed the common people would receive the Gospel till these incorrigible blasphemers of it were brought to just disgrace. Yet he delayed speaking in this manner till a little before his passion, as knowing what effect it would quickly produce. Nor is this any precedent for us: we are not invested with the same authority. #Mt 23:5|; Lu 20:46.


People's Bible Notes for Mark 12:38


Mr 12:38-40 Beware of the scribes. Mark gives in three verses his report of the wonderful discourse recorded in Matthew, chapter 23. These three verses are parallel to Mt 23:5,6,14. See notes there. Compare Lu 20:45-47. Love to go in long clothing. Peculiar to Mark. Long, flowing robes, reaching to the feet, similar to those worn by Romish priests, and were worn by the scribes as a kind of professional attire, in order to attract attention. When Christ sent his apostles out to preach, he directed that they should be clothed as the common people (Mr 6:9 Mt 10:10). The "scribes", ancient and modern, love display, showing themselves off in the chief places of concourse. They love appellations of honor and respect, such as Rabbi, Father, Master, Teacher. Men often profess a desire to magnify their office, when in truth they want to magnify themselves. They love robes that advertise to every one that they are separate from the rest of the people.

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