Luke 20:46
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“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Beware, &c.--(See on Mat 23:5; and Luk 14:7).
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's answer to the chief priests' question concerning his authority (Luk 20:1-8). II. The parable of the vineyard let out to the unjust and rebellious husbandmen (Luk 20:9-19). III. Christ's answer to the question proposed to him concerning the lawfulness of paying tribute to Caesar (Luk 20:20-26). IV. His vindication of that great fundamental doctrine of the Jewish and Christian institutes - the resurrection of the dead and the future state, from the foolish cavils of the Sadducees (Luk 20:27-38). V. His puzzling the scribes with a question concerning the Messiah's being the Son of David (Luk 20:39-44). VI. The caution he gave his disciples to take heed of the scribes (Luk 20:45-47). All which passages we had before in Matthew and Mark, and therefore need not enlarge upon them here, unless on those particulars which we had not there.
Open source ↗20:46-47 Jesus continued on the offensive, warning against the hypocrisy and exploitation of the teachers of religious law. • respectful greetings . . . seats of honor: See study note on 11:43. • head table at banquets: See study notes on 5:30; 14:7.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable:
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
“Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”