Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 12:39
And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
39. the chief seats ] The seats of honour for the elders of the synagogue were placed in front of the ark containing the Law, in the uppermost part, where they sat with their faces to the people. In the synagogue at Alexandria there were seventy-one golden chairs, according to the number of the members of the Great Sanhedrim.
the uppermost rooms ] Rather, the chief seats, “e first sitting places in soperis,” Wyclif. The highest place on the divan, as amongst the Greeks. Amongst the Romans, when a party consisted of more than three persons, it was the custom to arrange three of the couches on which they reclined round a table, so that the whole formed three sides of a square, leaving the bottom of it open for the approach of the attendants. These couches were then respectively designated lectus medius, summus, and imus. The middle place in the triclinium was considered the most dignified. At a large feast there would be many such triclinia.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
39. And the chief seats in thesynagogues, and the uppermost roomsor positions.
at feastsOn this loveof distinction, see on Lu 14:7; Mt6:5.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the chief seats in the synagogues,…. Where the rulers of the synagogue, and the elders of the people sat;
[See comments on Mt 23:6].
And the uppermost rooms at feasts; or the first and chief places where they sat, or rather lay along at public entertainment;
[See comments on Mt 23:6].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
First seats in the synagogues (). As a mark of special piety, seats up in front while now the hypocrites present in church prefer the rear seats.
Chief places at feasts ( ). Recognizing proper rank and station. Even the disciples fall victims to this desire for precedence at table (Lu 22:24).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Uppermost rooms [] . More correctly, the chief couches. So Rev., chief places.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And the chief seats in the synagogues,” (kai protoklisias en tois deipnois) “And who just love the first rank (highest, elevated) seats in the synagogues,” as members of committees, in exalted positions of honor, Mat 23:6; Luk 14:7-8.
2) “And the upper most rooms at feasts:- (kai protoklisias en tois deipnois) “And whose first love is for the head tables in the dinners,” feasts on special occasions, Luk 20:46. This is a description of Pharisee piety, vanity, greed, and hypocrisy.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
Ver. 39. See Trapp on “ Mat 23:6 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
chief seats. See note on Mat 23:6.
uppermost rooms = first couches or places.
at = in. Greek. en. App-104. Not the same as in. Mar 12:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jam 2:2, Jam 2:3
Reciprocal: Mat 6:2 – in the synagogues Mat 23:6 – General Luk 11:43 – for Luk 14:7 – they Luk 20:46 – which
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Chief seats means the front pews that faced the audience, and uppermost rooms at feasts means the highest seats, those that gave an advantage of display.