Mark 12:38 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus warns against the scribes, who love to walk in long robes and to be greeted in the marketplaces.
What Does Mark 12:38 Mean?
From the scribes' theology Jesus turns to their conduct. "Beware," he says: watch out for teachers who love flowing robes and the deference of public greetings. The robe announced learning and rank; the marketplace salutation fed the appetite for being seen and honored.
The warning is not against learning or honor but against loving them. Religious position can quietly become a costume -- a way of being admired rather than a way of serving God. Jesus, the one truly worthy of every greeting, walked those same streets without display. His warning still searches everyone who serves in his name: whose eyes are we dressing for?
Mark 12:38 in the Original Language
stole (στολή), 'long clothing' -- a flowing robe worn for dignity and public display.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 12:38
What does Mark 12:38 mean?
Jesus warns against the scribes, who love to walk in long robes and to be greeted in the marketplaces.