Mark 12:40

Modern

They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Traditional

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

Literal

…those devouring the houses of widows and praying long as a pretext. These will receive more abundant judgment.”

Latin

…qui devorant domos viduarum sub obtentu prolixæ orationis: hi accipient prolixius judicium.

Greek

English

They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

The teachers of religious law broke the second command by failing to love their neighbors, as was seen in their cheating widows of their property. They clearly were cheating the most vulnerable and needy people despite God’s concern for widows (Deuteronomy 14:29; Psalms 68:5; 146:9; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:6; 49:11) and his condemnation of those who mistreat them (Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 22:7; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5). The teachers of religious law showed false holiness through outward religious actions (see Matthew 6:5–6; Luke 18:11–12).
These men will receive greater condemnation: This refers to the final judgment (Mark 9:42–48; see Luke 14:11).

Luke 20:47
They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
Matthew 23:13
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.
Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?
Ezekiel 22:25
The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.
Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.
Luke 12:47–48
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
2 Timothy 3:6
They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions,
Micah 3:1–4
Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice?
Micah 2:2
They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.
Matthew 11:22–24
But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.