Luke 20:45-47 Meaning: Beware of Hypocrisy
45In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,
46“Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts;
47who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
45Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
46Beware 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;
47Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
45And in the hearing of all the people he said unto his disciples,
46Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts;
47who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation.
45And, all the people hearing, he said to his disciples,
46`Take heed of the scribes, who are wishing to walk in long robes, and are loving salutations in the markets, and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in the suppers,
47who devour the houses of the widows, and for a pretence make long prayers, these shall receive more abundant judgment.'
45And, as all the people were listening, he said to his disciples,
46Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and who love salutations in the market-places, and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at suppers;
47who devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext make long prayers. These shall receive a severer judgment.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus warns his disciples about religious leaders who love status and exploit the vulnerable. A warning for all who follow him.
Context
Jesus had just silenced the Sadducees with his question about the Messiah, and the scribes could only admire his answer. The crowd was still pressing in. At that moment, Jesus turned to his disciples, but he spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. He wanted the warning to reach beyond the Twelve. The scribes were the most respected Bible teachers of their day, yet Jesus calls them dangerous. They loved long robes, greetings in the market, and the best seats at banquets. Worse, they used their piety to take advantage of the most vulnerable: widows. This is not merely a criticism of corrupt leaders; it is a call for every disciple to examine how easily religious habits can mask a heart far from God.
Key Words
Three words paint the picture. The first is katesthiō, translated “devour.” It means to consume greedily, like an animal tearing its prey. These men did not just fail to help widows; they ate up what little they had. The second word is prophasis, “pretense.” It means a pretext, a show put on to hide the real motive. Their long prayers looked devout, but they were a screen for cruelty. The third phrase is perissoteron krima, “greater condemnation.” Perissoteron means more abundant, excessive, a stricter judgment. Having knowledge and religious position raises the stakes. These words together strip away every excuse: God sees through performance, and those who use faith to harm the weak will face a heavy reckoning.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions agree this is a grave warning. Matthew Henry notes that the scribes’ hypocrisy was so deep they used prayer as a cover for theft. Gill points out that their condemnation is worse than that of openly profane sinners, because they sinned under a cloak of religion. The Cambridge Bible observes that even the Jewish Talmud records warnings against “painted Pharisees.” Christians from different streams, Reformed, Baptist, Anglican, have all seen in this passage a call to honest faith. While some earlier writers applied the warning to specific groups like the Roman Catholic clergy, the broader reading holds for all: wherever religion becomes a tool for status or exploitation, Jesus is against it.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, watch where your attention drifts during worship or service. Do you notice who sees you? Do you angle for a better seat, a visible role, a word of praise? And here is a harder question: is your piety ever a cover for neglect? You might pray a beautiful prayer and then walk past someone in need. Jesus names that as a contradiction. Real faith protects the vulnerable, not with a show but with open hands. Before you lead a prayer or take a position, ask the Spirit to search your motives and give you a heart that seeks God alone.
Main takeaway: God sees through religious performance and judges those who use piety to harm the weak.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus told his friends to watch out. Some people acted like they loved God very much, but they were mean to poor people and took their things. God wants us to be kind and real, not just look good on the outside.
For ages 9, 12
Jesus warned his disciples about the religious leaders who loved being noticed. They wore fancy robes, sat in the best seats, and prayed long prayers to impress others. But secretly they were cheating widows out of their homes. Jesus said they would be judged even more strictly because they knew better. This is a reminder to check your own heart: do you do good things to be seen, or because you truly love God and care for others?
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus warn about the scribes in particular?
The scribes were respected teachers of the law, but many had become proud and greedy. Jesus wanted his disciples to see that even religious leaders can lead others astray if their hearts are not right.
What does it mean to 'devour widows' houses'?
It means taking advantage of vulnerable people, like widows who had little protection, to get their property. The scribes used their position of trust to exploit the powerless.
What is 'greater condemnation'?
It means a stricter judgment. Those who know God's ways and use them as a cover for sin will be held more accountable than those who sin without such knowledge.
Why did Jesus say this to his disciples publicly?
Jesus wanted everyone to hear this warning, not just the Twelve. It shows that the danger of hypocrisy applies to all who follow God.
How does this passage apply to Christians today?
It calls us to examine our motives: are we serving God for recognition or out of genuine love? It also challenges us to protect the vulnerable rather than exploit them.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study