Mark 12:38
New International Version
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,

New Living Translation
Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces.

English Standard Version
And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces

Berean Standard Bible
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,

Berean Literal Bible
And in His teaching He was saying, "Beware of the scribes, desiring to walk about in robes, and greetings in the marketplaces,

King James Bible
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,

New King James Version
Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,

New American Standard Bible
And in His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like personal greetings in the marketplaces,

NASB 1995
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,

NASB 1977
And 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,

Legacy Standard Bible
And in His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who want to walk around in long robes, and want respectful greetings in the marketplaces,

Amplified Bible
In [the course of] His teaching He was saying, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and like to receive respectful greetings in the market places,

Christian Standard Bible
He also said in his teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who want greetings in the marketplaces,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He also said in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes, and who want greetings in the marketplaces,

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

Contemporary English Version
As Jesus was teaching, he said: Guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses! They love to walk around in long robes and be greeted in the market.

English Revised Version
And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and to have salutations in the marketplaces,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As he taught, he said, "Watch out for the scribes! They like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted in the marketplaces,

Good News Translation
As he taught them, he said, "Watch out for the teachers of the Law, who like to walk around in their long robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplace,

International Standard Version
As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes! They like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted in the marketplaces,

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

NET Bible
In his teaching Jesus also said, "Watch out for the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces,

New Heart English 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,

Webster's Bible Translation
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,

Weymouth New Testament
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,

World English 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,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He was saying to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes who will to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Berean Literal Bible
And in His teaching He was saying, "Beware of the scribes, desiring to walk about in robes, and greetings in the marketplaces,

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them in his teaching, Look from the scribes, wishing to walk in robes, and greetings in market-places,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them in his doctrine: “Beware of the scribes, who prefer to walk in long robes and to be greeted in the marketplace,

New American Bible
In the course of his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces,

New Revised Standard Version
As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And in his teaching he said to them, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love to be saluted in the streets,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And in his teaching, he said to them, “Beware of the Scribes who like to walk in robes and love greetings in the streets,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them in his teaching: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in robes, and love salutations in the markets,

Godbey New Testament
And He said to them in His teaching, Beware of the scribes, wishing to walk about in robes, and salutations in the forums,

Haweis New Testament
And he spake to them in the course of his teaching, Beware of the scribes, who love to go about in trailing robes, and like salutations in the places of concourse,

Mace New Testament
in the sequel of the discourse, he said to them, beware of the Scribes, who affect to walk about in their long robes, to be saluted in publick places,

Weymouth New Testament
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,

Worrell New Testament
And in His teaching He said, "Beware of the scribes, who wish to walk about in long robes and have salutations in the marketplaces,

Worsley New Testament
And He said unto them as He was teaching them, Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and salutations in public-places,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Warning against the Scribes
37David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight. 38In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, 39and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.…

Cross References
Matthew 23:5-7
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. / They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Luke 20:45-47
In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples, / “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. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Matthew 6:1-5
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ...

Luke 11:43
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Matthew 15:7-9
You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: / ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Luke 16:14-15
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus. / So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

Matthew 23:25-26
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.

Jeremiah 23:11
“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Matthew 23:2-3
“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

said.

Mark 4:2
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Beware.

Matthew 10:17
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Matthew 23:1-7
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, …

Luke 20:45-47
Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, …

which.

Matthew 6:5
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 11:43
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Luke 14:7-11
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, …

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Beware Bowed Clothing Course Desire Doctrine Flowing Greeted Greetings Guard Jesus Love Market Marketplaces Market-Places Moreover Places Pleasure Public Resort Respectful Robes Salutations Scribes Taught Teachers Teaching Walk Watch
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Beware Bowed Clothing Course Desire Doctrine Flowing Greeted Greetings Guard Jesus Love Market Marketplaces Market-Places Moreover Places Pleasure Public Resort Respectful Robes Salutations Scribes Taught Teachers Teaching Walk Watch
Mark 12
1. Jesus tells the parable of the tenants
13. He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;
18. convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;
28. resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;
35. refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;
38. bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;
41. and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.














In His teaching
This phrase indicates the authoritative role of Jesus as a teacher. The Greek word for "teaching" is "διδαχή" (didachē), which implies not just imparting knowledge but also moral instruction. Jesus' teachings were not merely academic; they were transformative, aiming to change hearts and lives. His role as a teacher was central to His ministry, and His teachings were often counter-cultural, challenging the status quo and calling for a deeper understanding of God's will.

Jesus also said
The use of "also" suggests that this teaching is part of a broader discourse. Jesus often used parables and direct teachings to convey His message. The Greek word "λέγει" (legei) for "said" implies a continuous action, indicating that Jesus was actively engaging with His audience. His words carried divine authority, and His teachings were meant to be heeded as the very words of God.

Beware of the scribes
The word "beware" comes from the Greek "βλέπετε" (blepete), meaning to see or perceive with caution. Jesus is issuing a warning to His followers to be vigilant. The scribes were experts in the Law, respected for their knowledge and interpretation of Scripture. However, Jesus warns against their hypocrisy and pride. This caution serves as a reminder to discern the true character of spiritual leaders and to be wary of those who seek self-glorification rather than God's glory.

who like to walk around in long robes
The phrase "like to walk around" is translated from the Greek "θέλοντες περιπατεῖν" (thelontes peripatein), indicating a desire or preference. The "long robes" were a symbol of status and authority, often worn by those in religious or official positions. These garments set the scribes apart, making them easily recognizable and revered. Jesus criticizes their love for outward appearances and the honor it brings, highlighting the danger of valuing external recognition over internal righteousness.

and receive greetings in the marketplaces
The "greetings" refer to the public acknowledgment and respect given to the scribes. The Greek word "ἀσπασμούς" (aspasmous) implies a formal salutation, often accompanied by gestures of respect. The "marketplaces" were central hubs of social and economic activity, where such greetings would be highly visible. Jesus points out the scribes' desire for public admiration, contrasting it with the humility and servanthood He exemplified and taught. This serves as a call to His followers to seek God's approval rather than human accolades.

(38-40) In his doctrine.--Better, in His teaching. See Notes on Matthew 23:1-7. St. Mark's report is characteristically brief as compared with St. Matthew, and would seem to have been drawn from the same source as St. Luke's (Luke 20:45-47).

Verses 38, 39. - These verses are a condensation of the woes recorded at length by St. Matthew (23.). And he said unto them in his doctrine (ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὑτοῦ) - literally, in his teaching - Beware of the scribes which desire (τῶν θελόντων) to walk in long robes (ἐν στολαῖς). The στόλη was a rich robe which reached down to the ankles, and was adorned with fringes. The scribes took pleasure in this kind of display. The salient points in their character were ostentation, avarice, and religious hypocrisy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

teaching
διδαχῇ (didachē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1322: Teaching, doctrine, what is taught. From didasko; instruction.

[Jesus] also said,
ἔλεγεν (elegen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Watch out
Βλέπετε (Blepete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

for
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

scribes.
γραμματέων (grammateōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122: From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.

They like
θελόντων (thelontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to walk around
περιπατεῖν (peripatein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

long robes,
στολαῖς (stolais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4749: A long robe, worn by the upper classes in the East. From stello; equipment, i.e., a 'stole' or long-fitting gown.

[to receive] greetings
ἀσπασμοὺς (aspasmous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 783: A greeting, salutation. From aspazomai; a greeting.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

marketplaces,
ἀγοραῖς (agorais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 58: From ageiro; properly, the town-square; by implication, a market or thoroughfare.


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