Luke 20:46

46 Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and who love salutations in the market-places, and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at suppers;

Luke 20:46 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:46

Beware of the Scribes
And also of the Pharisees; for they are joined together in Matthew: which desire to walk in long robes:
the rule for the length of a scholar's garment was this ^F1;

``his flesh must not appear under his garments, as the light linen garments, and the like, they make in Egypt; nor must his garments be drawn upon the ground, as the garments of proud men, but must reach to his heel, and his glove must reach the top of his fingers.''

According to this rule, the garments of the doctors were to be so long as to cover the whole body, even down to their heels, but were not to be any longer; and by this it appears their garments were very long; but they did not always go by this rule; some had their garments so long as to have a train after them; (See Gill on Matthew 23:5) and love greetings in the markets;
or in courts of judicature; they loved to be saluted with the titles of Rabbi, Master, and the like: and the highest seats in the synagogues;
which were next to the place where the book of the law was read and expounded, and where they might be seen by the people: and the chief rooms at feasts;
the uppermost; (See Gill on Matthew 23:6) and (See Gill on Matthew 23:7).

---

FOOTNOTES:

F1 Maimon Hilch. Dayot, c. 5. sect. 9. Vid. T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 57. 2. & Gloss. in ib.

Luke 20:46 In-Context

44 David therefore calls him Lord, and how is he his son?

45 And, as all the people were listening, he said to his disciples,

46 Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and who love salutations in the market-places, and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at suppers;

47 who devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext make long prayers. These shall receive a severer judgment.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'in feasts.'