False and True Religion

³⁸ Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law (scribes)! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. ³⁹ And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head (best) table at banquets. ⁴⁰ Yet they shamelessly cheat (devour) widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished (condemned).” Mark 12:38-40 (NLT)

With the crowd listening, Jesus taught His disciples and the people to beware of religious teachers (Mark 12:37-38, see also Matthew 23:1-2; Luke 20:45-46). In fact, Matthew’s Gospel devotes almost an entire chapter of Jesus’ warnings the people about religious teachers (Matthew 23:1-36).

As during Jesus’ time and continues today, some religious teachers loved the benefits associated with their position of authority, including wearing robes of the rich and scholarly, and to have everyone bow to them as they walk through the markets (Mark 12:38; see also Matthew 23:7; Luke 20:46). Moreover, these religious teachers love to sit in the best seats in the synagogues and at the places of honor at banquets so the worshippers can see and admire them (Mark 12:39; see also Matthew 6:1-2, Matthew 23:5-6; Luke 11:43; Luke 20:46). Sadly, these false religious teachers use their position to exploit people, cheat the poor, and take advantage of the rich for their selfish and dishonest profit (see 1 Thessalonians 2:5; Titus 1:10-11; 2 Peter 2:1-3). Since these religious teachers were not paid regular wages, they were dependent on the generosity and hospitality of the worshippers for their livelihood. Such collection system was often open to abuse, and widows and defenseless were especially vulnerable to such devious exploitation (see Isaiah 10:2; Amos 2; Micah 3; 1 Timothy 6:5). Jesus warned His disciples and the listing crowd that these false religious teachers shamelessly cheat widows, the poor, and other defenseless people out of their property for their own personal gain (Mark 12:40; see also Luke 20:47).

To cover up their falsehood and greed, these religious teachers pretend to be pious and deceived the crowd by praying long and showy prayers in public to make a good impression (Mark 12:40; see also Luke 20:47). But behind their outward appearance of holiness and respectability, these false religious teachers’ hearts were filled with hypocrisy, lawlessness, greed, self-indulgence, selfish-ambition, arrogance, and high living (Matthew 23:25, 28). Outwardly, these religious teachers look righteous, holy, and honest (Matthew 23:27-28). Yet, these greedy and deceitful religious teachers are religious hypocrites who have no genuine inward love and obedience towards God and others (Matthew 22:34-40). Sadly, some religious teachers are not concerned about the approval of God and they used their religious status to attract attention to themselves and not to glorify God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Because of their hypocrisy, greed, and pride, false religious teachers are dangerous to have around so Jesus warned the people about them (Mark 12:40; see also Matthew 23; Luke 20:45-47). Even more, Jesus warned that these false religious teachers would receive severe eternal punishment from God (Mark 12:40; see also Matthew 23:33; Luke 20:47; 2 Peter 2:12-16).

⁴¹ Jesus sat down near the collection box (treasury) in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴² Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. ⁴³ Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. ⁴⁴ For they gave a tiny part of their surplus (abundance), but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on (whole livelihood).” Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

In contrast to the false religious teachers, Jesus revealed what true religion looks like with the poor widow (see also James 1:26-27). After warning His disciples and the people about religious leaders, Jesus went over to the collection boxes and watched as the people placed their money into the Temple’s treasury (Mark 12:41). Some people who were rich put in large amounts (Mark 12:41; see also Luke 21:1). Then Jesus saw a poor widow come to the Temple’s collections and dropped in two pennies (two small copper coins) (Mark 12:42; see also Luke 21:2). Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow gave more than all those rich people. They gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had; she gave all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44, NCV; see also Luke 21:3-4). In other words, this poor widow gave her whole life to God and Jesus praised the widow’s humble faith and dependence upon God (see Mark 8:34-35; Mark 12:30, 44).

During Jesus’ time and continues today, some people perform their religious deeds and acts for appearances only — not out of compassion but as a self-serving event and an occasion for your personal glory and admiration (see Matthew 6:1-6). Despite her small gift, Jesus celebrated the faithfulness and love of God demonstrated by the widow’s actions (see also Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37-38). In reality, the widow’s offering would be embarrassing in the eyes of many. In contrast to the religious and political leaders and teachers (e.g., the scribes, the Herodians, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees), Jesus encountered a widow who gave to God without any personal recognition and selfish glorification.

Earlier, Jesus warned that when we engage in any worship functions such as praying, preaching or giving, we must perform our good deeds for God’s glory and not selfish glory, profit, and pride (Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 6:1-18; see also 1 Corinthians 10:30). Religious rituals such as church attendance, reading the Bible, praying in public, fasting, or giving can become phony and hypocritical if your motives for doing such religious deeds are for selfish glorification and public recognition. God sees our hearts and intentions (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Corinthians 13:12), and we receive no reward for good deeds done for wrong reasons.

Religious teachers have a great responsibility because they are responsible for shaping the faith of the people, and their words and example affect others’ spiritual lives (Matthew 23:1-2). True religious teachers are living examples of God’s mercy, compassion, and justice (Matthew 9:35-36; Hebrews 13:1-3). These true servants of God care for the widows, poor, defenseless, fatherless, and the weak (see Exodus 22:21-22; Deuteronomy 14:29; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 5:28; Ezekiel 22:6-7; Matthew 25:34-40; James 1:27). These good teachers have a selfless and generous attitude and do not preach God’s Word for power, position, and wealth. Even more, religion can be a tremendous tool for exploiting people. Thus, God will judge religious teachers more strictly, and they are subject to greater condemnation in the judgment (James 3:1).

References

Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1988).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).