Mark 12:38

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

As he taught them, he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and enjoy greetings in the marketplaces,

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

¶Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ, Βλέπετε ἀπὸ τῶν γραμματέων, τῶν θελόντων ἐν στολαῖς περιπατεῖν, καὶ ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς,

Transliteration

And elegen to them in the didachē of him, Blepete from the grammateōn, the ones thelontōn in stolais peripatein, and aspasmous in the agorais,

Grammar Details

• *elegen*: imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular - was saying [continuous action]
• *didachē*: dative, feminine, singular - teaching
• *Blepete*: present active imperative, 2nd plural - watch out!/beware!
• *grammateōn*: genitive, masculine, plural - of scribes
• *thelontōn*: present active participle, genitive, masculine, plural - of those wanting
• *stolais*: dative, feminine, plural - robes/long garments
• *peripatein*: present active infinitive - to walk around
• *aspasmous*: accusative, masculine, plural - greetings
• *agorais*: dative, feminine, plural - marketplaces

Word Meanings

• *elegen*: was saying/was speaking
• *didachē*: teaching/instruction/doctrine
• *Blepete*: watch out!/beware!/take heed!
• *grammateōn*: scribes/law-experts
• *thelontōn*: wanting/desiring/wishing
• *stolais*: robes/long garments/stately attire
• *peripatein*: to walk around/walk about/go about
• *aspasmous*: greetings/salutations
• *agorais*: marketplaces/public squares

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Then he said to them in his teaching, 'Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces,

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And he sayde vnto them in his doctrine: beware of the Scribes which love to goo in longe clothinge: and love salutacions in ye market places

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And he taught the, and sayde vnto the: Bewarre of the scrybes, that loue to go in longe garmentes, and loue to be saluted in the market,

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Moreouer he saide vnto them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes which loue to goe in long robes, & loue salutations in the markets,

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And he sayde vnto them in his doctrine, beware of the scribes, whiche desire to go in long clothyng, and salutations in the market places,

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And he said unto them in his doctrine, ‹Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and› [love] ‹salutations in the marketplaces,›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  In his teaching he said to them, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and he was saying to them in his teaching, `Beware of the scribes, who will in long robes to walk, and love salutations in the market-places,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and `to have' salutations in the marketplaces,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces,

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And in his teaching he said, Be on your watch against the scribes, whose pleasure it is to go about in long robes and be respected in the market-places,

• World English Bible (2000)

  In his teaching he said to them, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Warnings About Experts in the Law In his teaching Jesus also said,“Watch out for the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces,

Referenced Verses

• Luke 11:43 : 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the seats of honor in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
• Luke 20:45-47 : 45 While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, 46 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, love respectful greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and make long prayers for appearance’s sake. These will receive a greater condemnation.
• Matt 23:1-7 : 1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying, 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat of authority. 3 So do and observe whatever they tell you, but do not do as they do, for they say things but do not practice them. 4 They tie up heavy and unbearable burdens, and place them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. They make their phylacteries broad and their tassels long. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi' by others.
• Mark 4:2 : 2 He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching, he told them:
• Matt 6:5 : 5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
• Matt 10:17 : 17 But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to councils and will flog you in their synagogues.
• 3 John 1:9 : 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, does not acknowledge us.
• Luke 14:7-9 : 7 When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them this parable: 8 'When you are invited to a wedding feast, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by the host.' 9 'Then the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ And humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.' 10 'But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.' 11 'For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.'