Mark 12:39

39 and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues and at dinner parties,

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 himself calls Him `Lord:' how then can He be his son?" And the mass of people found pleasure in listening to Jesus.

38 Moreover in the course of His teaching He said, "Be on your guard against the Scribes who like to walk about in long robes and to be bowed to in places of public resort,

39 and to occupy the best seats in the synagogues and at dinner parties,

40 and who swallow up the property of widows and then mask their wickedness by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment."

41 Having taken a seat opposite the Treasury, He observed how the people were dropping money into the Treasury, and that many of the wealthy threw in large sums.