Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

LUKE 20:47KJV
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Luke 20:47 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:47 mean?

Luke 20:47 describes people who take advantage of vulnerable widows, taking their property, and then try to look holy by making long, showy prayers; Jesus warns that these people will face even harsher judgment. The verse highlights the seriousness of hypocrisy, especially when it harms those already in need.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking publicly about certain religious leaders, warning his listeners to beware of their behavior. The leaders are accused of "devouring widows' houses," meaning they exploit or take from widows, who were among the most defenseless in society. Their long prayers are described as being for "a show," suggesting their religious acts are more about appearance than genuine faith, and Jesus makes clear that such actions will bring about a greater condemnation.

The Greek behind Luke 20:47

  • "devour" (κατεσθίω, katesthiō): This word means to consume or eat up completely, painting a vivid picture of taking everything from someone, not just a small wrong. It emphasizes the total harm done to widows.
  • "for a shew" (προφάσει, prophasei): This word is about doing something for appearance or pretense, not from sincerity. It shows that the prayers are meant to impress others, not to communicate with God.
  • "greater damnation" (περισσότερον κρίμα, perissoteron krima): The word for "damnation" here means judgment or condemnation, and "greater" intensifies it. Jesus is saying that the punishment for this kind of hypocrisy and exploitation will be especially severe.

Why Luke 20:47 matters

  • Luke 20:47 clears up the idea that outward religious behavior can cover up injustice; Jesus directly links false piety with serious wrongdoing.
  • The verse highlights that God pays special attention to how vulnerable people, like widows, are treated, and that exploiting them is especially serious.
  • This warning fits into a larger section where Jesus criticizes religious leaders for hypocrisy, making it clear that God sees through appearances and judges the heart and actions.

Where else these words appear

“long” Greek G3117 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  • Mark 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
  • Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

“shew” Greek G4392 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  • John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
  • Philippians 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

“greater” Greek G4055 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
  • Luke 7:26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

“devour” Greek G2719 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
  • Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
  • Revelation 10:9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.