Matthew 23:14

Devour widows’ houses. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 146) the omission of v. 14. The statement is uncontested in Mark 12:40. The Pharisees persuaded well-to-do widows to donate their property to the Temple, and then used it to their own personal advantage (DA 614). Widows were, presumably, protected by law (Ex. 22:22), but this fact did not deter the rapacious Pharisees (cf. Isa. 10:2). For comment on another device designed to legalize the defrauding of elderly people see on Mark 7:11-13.

For a pretence. See on v. 5.

Long prayer. See on ch. 6:7.

Greater damnation. Because they were leaders, their evil deeds were more reprehensible than the same acts when committed by the common people. As teachers of the law their behavior was all the more open to censure than that of ordinary sinners. In the first place, they knew the law far more thoroughly, and in the second place, their evil example would be looked to by others as justifying their own misdeeds.