Mark Chapter 12, Verse 40
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40: οι κατεσθιοντες τας οικιας των χηρων και προφασει μακρα προσευχομενοι ουτοι ληψονται περισσοτερον κριμα
40: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long
prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
40: Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long
prayer. These shall receive greater judgment.
Which devour widows' houses. Which devour the families of widows, or the means of supporting their families. This they did under pretence of counselling them in the knowledge of the law, and in the management of their estates. They took advantage of their ignorance and unprotected state, and either extorted large sums for their counsel, or perverted the property to their own use. No wonder that Jesus denounced them! If there is any sin of peculiar enormity, it is thus taking advantage of the circumstances of the poor, the needy, and the helpless, and wronging them out of the pittance on which they depend to support their families. And as God is the Friend of the widow and the fatherless, it may be expected that such will be visited with heavy condemnation.
For a pretence. For show, or pretending great devotion.
