Discovery BoxLuke 20:46-47 
Context20:46 “Beware 1 of the experts in the law. 2 They 3 like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings 4 in the marketplaces and the best seats 5 in the synagogues 6 and the places of honor at banquets. 20:47 They 7 devour 8 widows’ property, 9 and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”
1 tn Or “Be on guard against.” This is a present imperative and indicates that pride is something to constantly be on the watch against.
2 tn Or “of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
3 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun by the prior phrase.
4 sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1642; H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.
5 sn See Luke 14:1-14.
6 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:15.
7 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 46.
8 sn How they were able to devour widows’ houses is debated. Did they seek too much for contributions, or take too high a commission for their work, or take homes after debts failed to be paid? There is too little said here to be sure.
9 tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).
