What Does Mark 12:38 Mean in the King James?
And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
One Greek verb of desire governs both the robe and the greeting, joining public distinction and recognition as one appetite.
THE MEANING
The warning exposes how the wish to appear distinguished and to be publicly welcomed can gather into one desire. That desire still speaks wherever religious standing is made visible through dress and amplified by recognition. The robe and the greeting become two expressions of the same longing.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A formal religious appearance does not necessarily signal devotion; it can serve a desire for status and public recognition.
THE ROOT
θελόντων
thelontōn
GROWS FROM
θελ-
thel-
To want, desire, or be willing.
The Greek uses one form of θέλω (thelō, to want or be willing) for both walking in long robes and receiving marketplace greetings; the KJV carries it across both with “love.” The verse holds attire and public recognition under one desire, rather than presenting them as unrelated habits.
ALSO GROWS
thelēma: Will, desire, or what is wanted
θέλημα
The same root can name the will itself, showing that the robe and greeting express one underlying orientation.
thelēsis: Willing, volition, or desire
θέλησις
This related noun makes the movement of wanting explicit, matching the verse’s focus on what draws the scribes.
THE PATTERN
When public distinction becomes an object of desire, its visible signs and the honor surrounding them reveal the same appetite.
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:THE THREAD
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!The same Greek root appears here for Jesus’ will to gather and the people’s unwillingness. Mark shows desire fastened on public distinction; Matthew shows that the same capacity to want can reach toward gathering and shelter.
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