Mark 12:38-39

Warnings About Experts in the Law

12:38 In his teaching Jesus ¹  also said, “Watch out for the experts in the law. ²  They like walking ³  around in long robes and elaborate greetings ⁴  in the marketplaces, 12:39 and the best seats in the synagogues ⁵  and the places of honor at banquets.

[12:38]  ¹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[12:38]  ² tn Or “for the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.

[12:38]  ³ tn In Greek this is the only infinitive in vv. 38-39. It would be awkward in English to join an infinitive to the following noun clauses, so this has been translated as a gerund.

[12:38]  ⁴ sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.

[12:39]  ⁵ sn See the note on synagogue in 1:21.