MARK 12:40 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.”
They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely — the devouring of widows' houses is the chapter's most specific accusation: the teachers' religious authority is being used to exploit the vulnerable. Widows were among the most economically vulnerable members of ancient society; the teachers who are called to protect them are instead taking from them. The lengthy prayers that accompany the exploitation are the external religious performance that masks the internal corruption.
Church Fathers on Mark 12:40
After confuting the Scribes and Pharisees, He burns up as a fire their dry and withered examples.
To walk in long clothing is to go forth into public clad in garments too much ornamented, in which amongst other things, that rich man, who fared sumptuously every day, is said to have sinned.
But they used to walk in honourable garments, because they wished to be highly esteemed for it, and in like manner they desired other things, which lead to glory.
Read all 7 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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