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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk_20:45-47
45And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, 46"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
Luk_20:46 "Beware of the scribes" This is a present active imperative of a compound Greek word from prous (for) and echo (I). Here it is followed by apo, which denotes "guard against" (cf. Mat_6:1; Mat_7:13).
Spiritual leaders (for "scribes" see Special Topic at Luk_5:21) must always be on guard for self-righteous, arrogant spirits. These were very sincere and highly motivated religious men, but they totally missed God because of their preconceived notions and self-centered attitudes (cf. Luk_6:39-40; Mat_15:14; Mat_23:16; Mat_23:24).
Jesus delineates some of their inappropriate actions:
1. They wear long religious robes to show everyone who they are, Luk_20:46.
2. They love to be greeted with respectful greeting and titles in public, Luk_20:46.
3. They want the best seats in the synagogue (i.e., on the raised platform near the scrolls), Luk_20:46.
4. They want the best seats at banquets next to the host at the head table, Luk_20:46.
5. They legally, but unethically, trick widows out of their homes and inheritances, Luk_20:47.
6. They pray long prayers so all will notice their wisdom and piety, Luk_20:47.
This sounds more like my day and its religious ethics than I feel comfortable admitting!
Luk_20:47 "These will receive greater condemnation" I personally believe in degrees of both heaven and hell based on knowledge and actions. Some of the Scriptures which seem to imply this are Mat_11:22; Mat_11:24; Luk_12:47-48. See Special Topic: Degrees of Rewards and Punishments at Luk_10:12.
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