Matthew 23:14

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, etc.] The same character is given as before, and the same woe denounced, and a fresh reason given of it: for ye devour widows’ houses; that is, the goods in the houses of such as were left with fatherless children, and but little to support them; who being left alone, and none to advise them, and being weak, and prone to superstition; these greedy dogs, as Isaiah calls them, who could never have enough, easily imposed upon them, wormed them out of all their substance, stripped them bare of the necessaries of life, prevailed on them to sell their houses and goods, and bestow them on them; or got their little estates into their hands, pretending…”

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, &c.--Taking advantage of the helpless condition and confiding character of "widows," they contrived to obtain possession of their property, while by their "long prayers" they made them believe they were raised far above "filthy lucre." So much "the greater damnation" awaits them. What a lifelike description of the Romish clergy, the true successors of those scribes!”

“Devour widows’ houses - The word “houses” is used here to denote “property” or possessions of any kind. You take away or get possession of the property of widows by improper arts and pretences. This was done in two ways: 1. They claimed a very exact knowledge of the law and a perfect observance of it. They pretended to extraordinary justice toward the poor, friendship for the distressed, and willingness to aid those who were in embarrassed circumstances. They thus induced “widows” and poor people to commit the management of their property to them as guardians and executors, and then took advantage of them and defrauded them. 2. They put on the appearance of great sanctity, and induced many…”

“Mar 12:40; Luk 20:47. Matthew 23:16”

“for ye: Josephus says that this sect pretended to a more exact knowledge of the law, on which account the women were subject to them, as pretending to be dear to God. Exo 22:22-24; Job 22:9, Job 31:16-20; Mar 12:40; Luk 20:47; Ti2 3:6; Tit 1:10, Tit 1:11; Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:15 long: That these were long we learn from Bab. Berachoth, where we are told that the very religious prayed nine hours a day. therefore: Mat 23:33-36, Mat 11:24; Luk 12:48; Jam 3:1; Pe2 2:3 Matthew 23:15”