Luke 20:46-47

20:46 “Beware ¹  of the experts in the law. ²  They ³  like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings ⁴  in the marketplaces and the best seats ⁵  in the synagogues ⁶  and the places of honor at banquets. 20:47 They ⁷  devour ⁸  widows’ property, ⁹  and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”

¹ tn Or “Be on guard against.” This is a present imperative and indicates that pride is something to constantly be on the watch against.

² tn Or “of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.

³ tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun by the prior phrase.

⁴ sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1642; H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.

⁵ sn See Luke 14:1-14.

⁶ sn See the note on synagogues in 4:15.

⁷ tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 46.

⁸ sn How they were able to devour widows’ houses is debated. Did they seek too much for contributions, or take too high a commission for their work, or take homes after debts failed to be paid? There is too little said here to be sure.

⁹ tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).