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very bad men

Mark 12:38-40
"38 And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."

Dun dun duuun! (The three-chord musical phrase used to indicate a moment of suspense.)
"...these shall receive GREATER DAMNATION." Jesus's words we don't often hear from the pulpit. These are very serious words and scary words. Jesus is teaching His Disciples a critical lesson. The SCRIBES were the “Bible Scholars” of the day. Their responsibility was preserving, and teaching the WORD of GOD. But, they DID NOT. Jesus is warning His Disciples of the SCRIBES. 

Beware of the scribes, "...which love to go in long clothing." They like to dress in fancy clothes. They were men of leisure, who watched while OTHERS WORKED.

Beware of the scribes, "...love salutations in the marketplaces." They demanded recognition from others, and they wanted others to treat them like holy men.

Beware of the scribes, "...the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts." They claimed the perks of status and privilege. They placed themselves above others.

Beware of the scribes, they "...devour widows' houses." They took advantage of the weak and vulnerable. Jewish teachers were not supposed to be paid for teaching. But, they could receive gifts. So, many used flattery and manipulation to swindle big gifts from people who could not afford them.

Beware of the scribes, "...for a pretence make long prayers." Their relationship with God was more show than substance. The length of a prayer doesn't make it better.  

These "scribes" were VERY BAD men. Jesus does not mince His words; "...these shall receive GREATER DAMNATION." They will receive a worse judgment and a worse condemnation than others! This is a HARD LESSON that many need to hear today! 

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