Devine Scripture

Mark 12:39

What does Mark 12:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:39 means

Jesus continues to expose the scribes' self-serving ambitions, noting their desire for \"chief seats in the synagogues\" and \"chief places at feasts.\" These positions were symbolic of honor, authority, and social prominence within Jewish society. By seeking these elevated positions, the scribes demonstrated their love for human recognition and power over humble service to God and their community. This further illustrates their superficial religiosity, where outward signs of status were prioritized above inward spiritual reality, contributing to their corruption and misuse of religious authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to have the chief seats in the Synagogues and the first places at feasts;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in suppers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to sit in the first chairs in the synagogues and to have the highest places at suppers:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at suppers;

Context

This verse continues Jesus’s warning against the scribes, further detailing their desire for public honor and prominent social positions. It immediately follows the previous verse’s mention of their long robes and marketplace greetings. This extended list of their prideful pursuits intensifies the criticism of their hypocrisy, acting as a vivid backdrop against which the deeper spiritual abuses of the scribes, mentioned next, will become even clearer.

v.38And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, andto have salutations in the marketplaces,

v.39This passage

v.40they that devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 2:2

    For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;

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