Devine Scripture

Mark 12:40

What does Mark 12:40 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:40 means

Jesus delivers His strongest condemnation of the scribes, accusing them of \"devouring widows’ houses\" under the pretense of making \"long prayers.\" This reveals a grave abuse of religious authority, where they exploited the vulnerable, particularly financially dependent widows, perhaps through manipulative advice or legal schemes, while publicly maintaining a facade of piety through lengthy prayers. Jesus declares that for such actions, these scribes \"shall receive greater condemnation,\" indicating a severe judgment from God due to their hypocrisy and exploitation of the defenseless.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Who take away the property of widows, and before the eyes of men make long prayers; these will be judged more hardly.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

who are devouring the widows' houses, and for a pretence are making long prayers; these shall receive more abundant judgment.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer. These shall receive greater judgment.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

who devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext make long prayers. These shall receive a severer judgment.

Context

This verse contains Jesus's most severe condemnation of the scribes, exposing their exploitation of the vulnerable. It immediately follows the catalog of their prideful displays, presenting a stark contrast between their outward piety and their inner corruption. This critical indictment sets the tone for a powerful example of genuine devotion, immediately preceding the story of the widow's offering, which highlights true selfless giving against this backdrop of religious pretense.

v.39and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:

v.40This passage

v.41And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 12:47

    And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;

  • Matthew 23:33

    Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?

  • Matthew 23:13

    But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.

  • Luke 20:47

    who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation.

  • Ezekiel 22:25

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

  • Matthew 6:7

    And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

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