Mark 12:38 Beware of the scribes...

Spoken to
group

After Jesus argues that the Anointed is not the son of David.

KJV

Mark 12:38 Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and [love] salutations in the marketplaces,

NIV

Mark 12:38 Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,

3RD (NLT, if not otherwise identified)

Mark 12:38 Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces.

LISTENERS HEARD

Look out for these writers, the ones wanting to walk around in outfits and [wanting] greetings in the marketplaces.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The Greek word translated as "teachers of the law" in more modern Bibles means "writers." It is translated in the KJV as "scribes." It is not a Greek word meaning "teacher." The people clearly wrote about the law, but that was what commentators wrote about in Jesus's time.

The word translated here as "love" and "like" doesn't mean "love" or "like." It is also a good example of how translation can be misleading. The word means "want."  See this article on the Greek words translated as "love." It form is an participle, acting as an adjective, "the ones wanting." This limits the

The verb translated as "go"  in the KJVis not the normal word translated as "go" but a rarer word that means "to walk up and down" how we might use "parade about." Modern translations get this right.

The word translated as "beware" is a good example of how different languages converge on the same idea. The word means "see" normally but "beware" in the sense we say "watch out" or "look out!"

MY TAKE

Watch out for those who want attention, they are after something.

GREEK ORDER

Look       out for these writers,        the ones wanting    in their outfits to walk around
Βλέπετε ἀπὸ       τῶν  γραμματέων τῶν         θελόντων ἐν στολαῖς       περιπατεῖν

and [wanting] greetings     in the   marketplaces.
καὶ                  ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
6
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be something more like "the ones."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "love" means "wanting."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "love" is not an active verb but a participle, "wanting."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "go" means "walk around."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "love" means "wanting."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "love" is not an active verb but a participle, "wanting."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "teachers" means "writers."
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "of the law" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "they."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "like" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "like" is not an active verb but a participle, "wanting."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "be greeted" is not an active verb but a plural noun, "greetings" or "embraces."
  • IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "with respect" doesn't exist in the source.

 

# 3RD TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "teachers of religious law" means "writers."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "for" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "they."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "like" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "like" is not an active verb but a participle, "wanting."
  • IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "receive respectful" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "as they walk" doesn't exist in the source.

 

EACH WORD of KJV

Beware  -- The verb translated as "beware" means "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to beware", and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding "look" in English.

of  -- The word translated as "of" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

scribes, -- "Scribes" is translated from a Greek word describing anyone who used written records in their job, "secretary", "registrar,' and "scholar." However, Christ used it to name those scholars who specifically studied the Bible and wrote about its meanings. A modern equivalent would be "academics."

which -- (WW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Here, it precedes a participle, that is, a verbal adjective. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

love . -- (WW, WF) The Greek word translated as "love" expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose". The form here is a verbal adjective, "wanting." With the article before it, the sense is like a noun, "the ones wanting." This word is a participle, not an active verb.

to -- This "to" is from the infinitive form of the following verb.

go -- (WW) "Go" is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down", "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "parade." 

in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

long clothing, -- "Long clothing" is a Greek word that means "equipment", "fitting out", "armament", "equipment in dress", "raiment", "garment", "robe," and "the act of dressing." Jesus uses it only three times, always to mean a piece of clothing. This word is the source of our word "stole."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

love -- (WW, WF) There is no Greek word that is translated as "love" in the source. This verb is added for clarity because Greek doesn't repeat words as much as we do in English. This verb was a participle, not an active verb.

salutations -- "Salutations" is another uncommon word, used only four times by Jesus, that means "greeting", "embrace," and "affection." Jesus always uses it to refer to the Pharisees or scribes.

in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

marketplaces, -- The word translated as "marketplaces" means "a place of assembly." Its verb form that means "to buy in a market" and its root means "a field." 

EACH WORD of NIV

Watch -- The verb translated as "beware" means "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to beware", and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding "look" in English.

out for -- The word translated as "out for" means "from" or "out of" in both location and when referring to a source.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

teachers -- (WW) "Teachers of the law" is translated from a Greek word describing anyone who used written records in their job, "secretary", "registrar,' and "scholar." However, Christ used it to name those scholars who specifically studied the Bible and wrote about its meanings. A modern equivalent would be "academics."

of the law, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "of the law" in the Greek source.

They-- (CW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Here, it precedes a participle, that is, a verbal adjective. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. This is not the word usually translated as "they."

like . -- (CW, WF) The Greek word translated as "like" expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose". The form here is a verbal adjective, "wanting." With the article before it, the sense is like a noun, "the ones wanting." This verb was a participle, not an active verb. This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.

to -- This "to" is from the infinitive form of the following verb.

walk --  "Walk " is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down", "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "parade." 

around - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

flowing robes, -- "Flowing robes" is a Greek word that means "equipment", "fitting out", "armament", "equipment in dress", "raiment", "garment", "robe," and "the act of dressing." Jesus uses it only three times, always to mean a piece of clothing. This word is the source of our word "stole."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

Be greeted -- (WF) "Be greeted " is another uncommon word, used only four times by Jesus, that means "greeting", "embrace," and "affection." Jesus always uses it to refer to the Pharisees or scribes. It is not a verb but a noun.

with respect -- -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "with respect" in the Greek source.

in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

marketplaces, -- The word translated as "marketplaces" means "a place of assembly." Its verb form that means "to buy in a market" and its root means "a field." 

EACH WORD 3RD (NLT or as noted)

Beware  -- The verb translated as "beware" means "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to beware", and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding "look" in English.

of -- The word translated as "of" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.

these -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

teachers, -- (WW) "Teachers" is translated from a Greek word describing anyone who used written records in their job, "secretary", "registrar,' and "scholar." However, Christ used it to name those scholars who specifically studied the Bible and wrote about its meanings. A modern equivalent would be "academics."

of religious law -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "of religious law" in the Greek source.

For  -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "for" in the Greek source.

they-- (CW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Here, it precedes a participle, that is, a verbal adjective. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. This is not the word usually translated as "they."

like . -- (CW, WF) The Greek word translated as "like" expresses consent and even a delight in doing something. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose". The form here is a verbal adjective, "wanting." With the article before it, the sense is like a noun, "the ones wanting." This verb was a participle, not an active verb. This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation.

to -- This "to" is from the infinitive form of the following verb.

parade --  "Parade" is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down", "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "parade." 

around - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

flowing robes, -- "Flowing robes" is a Greek word that means "equipment", "fitting out", "armament", "equipment in dress", "raiment", "garment", "robe," and "the act of dressing." Jesus uses it only three times, always to mean a piece of clothing. This word is the source of our word "stole."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

receive respectful -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "receive respectful" in the Greek source.

greetings --  "Greetings" is another uncommon word, used only four times by Jesus, that means "greeting", "embrace," and "affection." Jesus always uses it to refer to the Pharisees or scribes.

as they walk -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "as they walk" in the Greek source.

in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

marketplaces, -- The word translated as "marketplaces" means "a place of assembly." Its verb form that means "to buy in a market" and its root means "a field." 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Βλέπετε [46 verses]( verb 2nd pl pres imperat act ) "Beware" is from of blepo, which means "to look", "to see", "to look to", "to look like", "to rely on", "to look longingly", "to propose", "to beware", "to behold," and "to look for."

ἀπὸ [190 verses](prep) "Of" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.

τῶν [821 verses] (article pl masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

γραμματέων [17 verses]( noun pl masc gen) "Scribes" is grammateus, which is generally a "secretary", "recorder," and "scholar," but specifically means someone who uses gramma which is Greek for "drawings", "a letter," (as in an alphabet)"diagrams," and "letters" (as in correspondence).

τῶν[821 verses] (article pl masc gen ) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

θελόντων [64 verses]( part pl pres act masc gen) "Love" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)", "to wish", "to ordain", "to decree", "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain", "to hold", "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event with inanimate objects)." As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly," and "gladly".

ἐν [413 verses] (prep) "In" is en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with".With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." 

στολαῖς [5 verses](noun pl fem dat )  "Long clothing" is stole, which means "equipment", "fitting out", "armament", "equipment in dress", "raiment", "garment", "robe," and "the act of dressing."

περιπατεῖν [13 verses] ( verb pres inf act ) "Go" is peripateo, which means "to walk up and down", "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching."

καὶ [1089 verses] (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."

ἀσπασμοὺς [4 verses]( noun pl masc acc ) "Salutations" is aspasmos, which means "greeting", "embrace," and "affection."

ἐν  [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with".With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."  -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for."

ταῖς [821 verses](article pl fem dat) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

ἀγοραῖς [7 verses]( noun pl fem dat ) "Marketplaces" is from agora, which means "an assembly", "place of assembly," and "marketplace. "

Possible Symbolic Meaning
Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings

Some people claim Jesus dressed like  a "religious Jew," but Jesus actually made fun of those who did, here and elsewhere.

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