WARNING AGAINST THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW

Passage: Mark 12:38-44

Key verse: 44

NIV

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(A) 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering(B)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put(C) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”(D)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Beware of the Scribes

38 (A)And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and (B)the places of honor at feasts, 40 (C)who devour widows' houses and (D)for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow's Offering

41 (E)And he sat down opposite (F)the treasury and watched the people (G)putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two (H)small copper coins, which make a penny.[a] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, (I)this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her (J)poverty has put in everything she had, all (K)she had to live on.”

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 12:42 Greek two lepta, which make a kodrantes; a kodrantes (Latin quadrans) was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Jesus warned against the influence of the teachers of the law. He said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” The teachers of the law acted like they had a great relationship with God. In reality, they had no relationship with God. They lived in front of people’s eyes. We should watch out for people who appear to live before God, yet in reality live before human eyes. God judges our hearts. We need to live before God and live blameless before him.

Jesus watched people bring offerings to the temple. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything --- all she had to live on.” Jesus accepted the poor widow’s offering. God sees our hearts rather than outward doing or giving. When we live before God and give all we have out of our reverent fear before him, he is most pleased.

Prayer: Help us to offer all we have to live on before you, out of thanksgiving.

One Word: Give everything to Jesus!