Mark 12:39

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.

American Standard Version (1901)

and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:

Bible in Basic English

And to have the chief seats in the Synagogues and the first places at feasts;

Free Bible Version

They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues, and the best places at banquets.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the chiefe seates in the Synagogues, and the first roumes at feastes,

King James (Authorized) Version

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

One Unity Resource Bible

and the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts:

Plain English Version

Those law teachers want everyone to respect them, so they want to have special chairs at the meeting houses, and if they go to parties, they want to have special places to sit.

Translation for Translators

They like to sit in the most important seats in our ◄synagogue/Jewish meeting place►. At festivals, they like to sit in the seats where the most honored people sit.

Unlocked Literal Bible

and they like to have the chief seats in the synagogues and chief places at feasts.

Noah Webster Bible

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

World English Bible

and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,

Young's Literal Translation

and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in suppers,

Context

Beware of the Scribes

³⁸In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces,³⁹and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Summary

In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. He condemns their desire for public recognition and honor, pointing out that true piety is not displayed through outward shows of religious devotion but through genuine humility and service. Jesus warns against following the example of those who prioritize status and power, instead emphasizing the importance of sincerity and integrity in one's relationship with God. This verse serves as a reminder to focus on the condition of the heart rather than seeking approval and praise from others.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms--or positions. at feasts--On this love of distinction, see on Luk 14:7; Mat 6:5.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And there came a certain poor widow,.... Among the many that came to offer their gifts freely, there came one that was particularly taken notice of by Christ; and she was a "widow", had no husband to provide for her, and was a "poor" one; had no substance left her by her husband to support her with; very likely she was an inhabitant of Jerusalem: and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing; a "quadrant", which was the fourth part of the Roman assis, or farthing; which seems to be much the same with the of the Greeks, which is said (g) to be, "the fourth part of an obolus (the least Athenian coin), that is, two brass pieces.'' These mites seem to be the same with the "prutas", the Jews often speak of; who say (h), that a "pruta" is the eighth part of an Italian farthing; though some make it to be the sixth: hence the Syriac version here renders it, "two menin, that is, eighths"; and the Jerusalem Talmud expressly says (i), that, , "two prutas make a quadrant", the very word here used: and that the Jews took the freewill offerings of the poor as well as the rich, though ever so little, is clear from this canon of theirs (k); "a poor man that gives a "pruta", or mite, into the alms dish, or a "pruta" into the poor's chest, they take it of him; but if he does not give, they do not oblige him to give.'' Nor were they obliged to cast into the treasury; but if they did, they received it, be it less or more: and indeed, the rich might throw in as little as they pleased: as for instance; into the chest for gold, they might throw in as little as the weight of a barley corn of gold; and into the chest for frankincense, as little as the weight of a barley corn of frankincense (l). The Persic version here, different from all others, instead of "two mites", renders it, "two bottoms of thread", or "yarn". (g) Harpocratian. Lexic. p. 281. (h) Misn. Kiddushin, c. 1. sect. 1. T. Hieros. Kiddushin, fol. 58. 4. T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 12. 1. Bava Metzin, fol. 44. 2. Maimon. Hilch. Shekalim, c. 1. sect. 3. (i) Kiddushi, fol. 58. 4. (k) Maimon. Hilch. Mattanot Anayim, c. 9. sect. 19. (l) Maimon. & Battenora in. Misn. Shekalim, c. 6. sect. 6.

Mark 12:39

Beware of the Scribes

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.

American Standard Version (1901)

and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:

Bible in Basic English

And to have the chief seats in the Synagogues and the first places at feasts;

Free Bible Version

They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues, and the best places at banquets.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the chiefe seates in the Synagogues, and the first roumes at feastes,

King James (Authorized) Version

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

One Unity Resource Bible

and the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts:

Plain English Version

Those law teachers want everyone to respect them, so they want to have special chairs at the meeting houses, and if they go to parties, they want to have special places to sit.

Translation for Translators

They like to sit in the most important seats in our ◄synagogue/Jewish meeting place►. At festivals, they like to sit in the seats where the most honored people sit.

Unlocked Literal Bible

and they like to have the chief seats in the synagogues and chief places at feasts.

Noah Webster Bible

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

World English Bible

and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,

Young's Literal Translation

and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in suppers,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms--or positions. at feasts--On this love of distinction, see on Luk 14:7; Mat 6:5.

John Gill Bible Commentary