Mark 12:39

39 basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function.

Mark 12:39 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 12:39

And the chief seats in the synagogues
Where the rulers of the synagogue, and the elders of the people sat; (See Gill on Matthew 23:6).

And the uppermost rooms at feasts;
or the first and chief places where they sat, or rather lay along at public entertainment; (See Gill on Matthew 23:6).

Mark 12:39 In-Context

37 "David here designates the Messiah 'my Master' - so how can the Messiah also be his 'son'?" The large crowd was delighted with what they heard.

38 He continued teaching. "Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery,

39 basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function.

40 And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they'll pay for it in the end."

41 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions.