Luke 20:46

“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples in the hearing of the crowds, delivering this warning immediately after noting the scribes' exploitation of widows and their performative prayers (Luke 20:45–47).

The words — προσέχετε (prosechete) translates literally as "do beware," and θελόντων (thelontōn) means "are desiring," directly framing the scribes' pursuit of status as an active, deliberate choice.

The thread — This same warning against religious pride runs through Mark 12:38 and Luke 11:43, and connects to the earlier teaching on humility in Luke 14:7.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to identify and reject the pursuit of public recognition, privileged seating, and social honor within religious or communal life.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Cross-references

Mark 12:38 In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces,
Luke 11:43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 14:7 When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable:
Matthew 16:6 “Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
Luke 12:1 In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
2 Timothy 4:15 You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.