Luke 20:47

“Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”

Literary Context

The preceding line reads “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 titled verse reads “Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.” The following line reads “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.” Together, these lines place Luke 20:47 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Close Reading

The verse forms part of a Gospel narrative. Meaning depends on the speaker or actor, the immediate setting, and the movement of the episode in which the words occur.

The verse first states “Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers:” It then adds “the same shall receive greater damnation.” Both movements belong together.

Place in Scripture

The Gospels bear witness to Jesus Christ through particular sayings, signs, conflicts, encounters, and responses. Accuracy preserves the sequence and emphasis chosen by the evangelist.

A Faithful Response

The first task is to observe what the verse says about Jesus, his hearers, or the event. Application should follow that observation, encouraging trust, obedience, worship, or self-examination only where the passage supports it.

Accordingly, the meaning of Luke 20:47 should be drawn from the verse itself and the lines around it, keeping explanation and application faithful to the text.