45 And, 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, 47 who devour the houses of the widows, and for a pretence make long prayers, these shall receive more abundant judgment.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 20:45-47
Commentary on Luke 20:39-47
(Read Luke 20:39-47)
The scribes commended the reply Christ made to the Sadducees about the resurrection, but they were silenced by a question concerning the Messiah. Christ, as God, was David's Lord; but Christ, as man, was David's son. The scribes would receive the severest judgement for defrauding the poor widows, and for their abuse of religion, particularly of prayer, which they used as a pretence for carrying on worldly and wicked plans. Dissembled piety is double sin. Then let us beg of God to keep us from pride, ambition, covetousness, and every evil thing; and to teach us to seek that honour which comes from him alone.