Mark 12:38

Cp. Matthew 23:6; (Matthew 23:14). LONG CLOTHING] (lit. 'stoles'). The word is used in LXX for priestly and royal robes, and in NT. for dress worn on festive occasions. Not the use, but the ostentatious use, of dignified costume is condemned by Christ. SALUTATIONS] see on Matthew 23:7.... [ Continue Reading ]

Mark 12:38-40

WARNING AGAINST THE SCRIBES (Luke 20:45). Mt inserts at this point a long and severe discourse against the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1).... [ Continue Reading ]

Mark 12:39

UPPERMOST ROOMS, etc.] RV 'chief places at feasts.' If there were three on a couch, the chief guest lay in the middle. If there were two on a couch, he lay on the right side.... [ Continue Reading ]

Mark 12:40

DEVOUR WIDOWS' HOUSES] Devout women were accustomed to contribute to the support of famous rabbis (Mark 15:41; Luke 8:2), and our Lord probably here refers to the abuse of such generosity. But inasmuch as the scribes and Pharisees were the rulers and judges of the nation, He may refer to their corru... [ Continue Reading ]

Mark 12:41

THE TREASURY] According to the Talmud there were in the Court of the Women thirteen chests for offerings called 'Trumpets,' from which three times in the year, before the three chief feasts, the money was transferred to the treasury called _Corbanas._ Each was marked with the object to which the off... [ Continue Reading ]

Mark 12:42

A (lit. 'one') POOR WIDOW] cp. Matthew 21:18 : 'one fig tree.' TWO MITES] lit. 'two _lepta,_ which make a quadrans.' The _lepton_ was a Greek coin, the smallest in circulation, equivalent to of a _denarius,_ or ⅓ of a farthing. The widow offered two, because the rabbis forbade a single _lepton_ to... [ Continue Reading ]

Mark 12:43

HATH CAST MORE IN] i.e. more in proportion to her means, and so has pleased God more. 'A certain woman offered a handful of wheat meal, and the high priest despised her, saying, How worthless this is to eat, how worthless to offer. But in a dream it was revealed to him. Despise her not, for it is th... [ Continue Reading ]

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