Luke 20:46
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
The verse is a warning against scribes who turn religious standing into display and seek public honor. They wear conspicuous long robes to mark themselves out, delight in respectful greetings in the public markets, and compete for the most honored seats in the synagogues and the chief places at feasts. Their devotion itself is made a show, with praying and giving of alms performed to be admired by others. Beneath those outward religious forms lie hard, unmerciful hearts driven by self-interest, the opposite of the humility and faithful practice their religious position should reflect. While grasping for honor they exploit the poor, laying on heavy taxes that consume widows' property and taking the people's offerings for themselves. This warning stands among Jesus' repeated warnings about rejecting the Son of God. Its force reaches every age, for those who refuse to receive Christ as their Redeemer face the doom foreshadowed by the examples He gave unless they repent.