Luke 20:46
What does Luke 20:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:46 means
Jesus warned His disciples to "Beware of the scribes," exposing their outward displays of piety as self-serving. He highlighted their fondness for "long robes," which signified their spiritual authority and status, and their love for "salutations in the marketplaces," seeking public recognition. Furthermore, they desired "chief seats in the synagogues" and "chief places at feasts," prioritizing honor and social standing over genuine humility and service. This warning cautioned against external show without internal substance, a dangerous hypocrisy that values human applause more than God's approval.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beware 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep away from the scribes, whose pleasure it is to go about in long robes, and to have words of respect said to them in the market-places, and to take the chief seats in the Synagogues and the first places at feasts;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Take heed of the scribes, who are wishing to walk in long robes, and are loving salutations in the markets, and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in the suppers,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes and love salutations in the market place and the first chairs in the synagogues and the chief rooms at feasts:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and who love salutations in the market-places, and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at suppers;
Context
This verse begins Jesus' direct warning to His disciples, immediately following His challenging question about the Messiah's identity. He describes the outward actions and desires of the scribes, highlighting their pride and love of status. This detailed description of their superficial piety immediately precedes His condemnation of their exploitative and prayer practices, showcasing a pattern of self-serving behavior.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 12:38
And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, andto have salutations in the marketplaces,
- 3 John 1:9
I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
- Mark 8:15
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
- Luke 11:43
Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.
- Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- Matthew 23:5
But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
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