Luke 20:47
Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Original Language Analysis
οἳ
Which
G3739
οἳ
Which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κατεσθίουσιν
devour
G2719
κατεσθίουσιν
devour
Strong's:
G2719
Word #:
2 of 14
to eat up, i.e., devour (literally or figuratively)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίας
houses
G3614
οἰκίας
houses
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χηρῶν
widows
G5503
χηρῶν
widows
Strong's:
G5503
Word #:
6 of 14
a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὗτοι
the same
G3778
οὗτοι
the same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
11 of 14
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
λήψονται
shall receive
G2983
λήψονται
shall receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
12 of 14
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
Cross References
Mark 12:40Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.James 3:1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.Luke 12:1In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Titus 1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.Isaiah 10:2To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.Amos 2:7That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.Micah 3:2Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;Micah 2:8Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.
Historical Context
Widows lacked male protection and were economically vulnerable. Religious leaders who should have defended them instead exploited them—a violation of Torah's core ethics. The following story of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4) illustrates this exploitation: she gives her last coins while wealthy leaders prosper. Within a generation, Jerusalem and temple would be destroyed—partial fulfillment of coming judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious leadership that exploits the vulnerable betray the very God it claims to serve?
- What does 'greater damnation' for religious hypocrites teach about accountability proportional to privilege and knowledge?
- Where might modern ministries be 'devouring widows' houses' through manipulative fundraising or exploitation of the vulnerable?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Which devour widows' houses (οἳ κατεσθίουσιν τὰς οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν, hoi katesthiousin tas oikias tōn chērōn)—Katesthiō (to eat up, devour, consume) is violent, predatory language. These religious leaders devour (present tense: habitual action) the oikias (houses, households, estates) of chērōn (widows)—society's most vulnerable (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 24:17, Isaiah 1:17). Methods likely included accepting donations from poor widows (Mark 12:41-44's context), exploiting legal authority as estate executors, or manipulating piety for financial gain.
And for a shew make long prayers (καὶ προφάσει μακρὰ προσεύχονται, kai prophasei makra proseuchontai)—Prophasis (pretext, pretense, outward show) reveals their prayers are performance, not communion. Makra (long, lengthy) describes duration used to impress. Proseuchomai (to pray) in present tense shows habitual practice. Jesus denounced long prayers elsewhere (Matthew 6:5-7), contrasting genuine heart-petition with verbose religious display. The same shall receive greater damnation (οὗτοι λήμψονται περισσότερον κρῖμα, houtoi lēmpsontai perissoteron krima)—future middle lēmpsontai (they will receive) guarantees coming judgment. Perissoteron (greater, more abundant) indicates intensified krima (judgment, condemnation). Greater privilege brings greater accountability (James 3:1).