Mark 12:40

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus delivers this warning to His listeners immediately after describing the scribes’ pursuit of social honor and just before observing the treasury offerings. The statement functions as a direct indictment of religious leaders exploiting vulnerable people while maintaining a pious public image.

The words — The Greek κατεσθίοντες (katesthiontes) literally means “devouring” or consuming, describing how these men strip widows of their property. The term προφάσει (prophasei) translates to “as a pretext” or “for show,” indicating their prayers serve as a public performance rather than genuine devotion.

The thread — This exact accusation appears in Luke 20:47, where the same warning against exploiting widows under the guise of piety is recorded. The theme of severe judgment for religious hypocrisy continues in Matthew 23:13 and Matthew 23:33.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that religious performance masking exploitation warrants harsher judgment than ordinary sin. Readers are asked to examine whether their own practices serve God or secure social status.

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

οἱhoithose κατεσθίοντεςkatesthiontesdevouring τὰςtasthe οἰκίαςoikiashouses τῶνtōnof the χηρῶνchērōnwidows καὶkaiand προφάσειprophaseias a pretext μακρὰmakraat great length προσευχόμενοι,proseuchomenoipraying,οὗτοιhoutoiThese λήμψονταιlēmpsontaiwill receive περισσότερονperissoteronmore excessive κρίμα.¶krimajudgment.

King James Version

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

Cross-references

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.
Micah 3:1 Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice?
Luke 12:47 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 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 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.