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Mat 23:14. Κατεσθὶετε, κ.τ.λ., ye devour, etc.) The extreme of avarice. To devour widows’ houses[997] is the most atrocious species, which is put for the whole class of rapacious actions.-καὶ, even)-μακρἀ, long) The word has here the force of an adverb.[998] Some MSS. also read suitably enough, μακρᾷ, in which case it must be construed with ΠΡΟΦΆΣΕΙ, sc. with a long, or great pretence-i.e. they made of their prayers a great pretence, pretext, or plea for devouring widows’ houses. Herodian uses the expressions, πρόφασις ὀλίγη, εὐτελὴς, μικρά, sc. a small, useful, little pretext or plea.-λήψεσθε, κ.τ.λ., ye shall receive, etc.) sc. as the reward of such prayers.-περισσύτερον κρίμα, more abundant damnation) He who acts ill is condemned; he who abuses that which is good, to adorn that which is bad, is condemned to sorer punishment.
[997] Who of all persons ought especially to be spared, but who, as being liable to be easily acted on by persuasion, are most open to oppression.-V. g.
[998] According to this reading, which is that of EM, it must be construed with προσευχόμενοι, praying; and the words must be rendered, “who pray long”-i.e. “who spend a long time in prayer”-(I. B.)