Luke 20. “In the hearing of all the people [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Beware of the scribes…’” (20:45-47).

Jesus is in Jerusalem in the days before Passover and the conflict that has been brewing between him and the religious leadership has erupted into full-scale war. Luke 20 highlights the conflict and hints at where it is going. We read that the religious leaders were seeking to destroy him (19:47), sought to lay hands on him at that very hour (20:19), and watched him and sent spies to trap him to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor (20:20). Repeatedly, Jesus handles their questions and avoids their traps, all while pointing a finger at their hypocrisy. They were silenced and they no longer dared to ask him any questions (20:40).

His opposition silenced for the moment, Jesus turns to his disciples and gives a pointed warning to them. It is both a word of judgment against the religious leaders of the day, and a caution to the disciples that they must never repeat this behavior. Jesus condemns the religious leadership out for three faulty ways of life:

First, they crave high status and the adoration of the masses. “Beware the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts.” (20:46). They love being seen and seek glory for themselves.

Secondly, they prey on the vulnerable instead of protecting them. “[They] devour widows’ houses” (20:47) indicates that the religious leadership is consuming, for their own purposes, the resources of the most vulnerable people. They are scammers motivated by greed. Entrusted with caring for the weak, they instead exploit the vulnerable and manipulate them for their own gain.

Third, they pray publicly to gain attention. “[They] for a pretense make long prayers” (20:47). Jesus instructed his disciples earlier about how to pray (11:1-4) and his guidance did not involve long, drawn-out prayers full of fancy words. It was just the opposite. “When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, that they may be seen by others… When you pray, go into your room and shut the door.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

Jesus says, “They will receive a greater condemnation.” (20:47) Religious leaders have been entrusted to lead the people justly, with humility and integrity before God. The higher the level of spiritual leadership, the greater the responsibility for which they must give account. They have abused this trust and their position, and therefore will receive a harsher judgment. Seems fair to me.

Do you struggle with any of these faulty ways of life: loving public honor, mistreating poor people, or seeking attention with religious activities?

If we used these behaviors as red flags for religious leadership today, how would that help us better evaluate churches or their leaders?

What stands out to you from Luke 20?