The essence of true faith is to love God supremely and to love people sacrificially, transcending all outward symbols of devotion.
As Mark 12:28-34Mark 12:28-34 commentary unfolds, we read One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, What commandment is the foremost of all? (v. 28). This occurs in or near Jerusalem during the final week of Jesus’s earthly life, around AD 30. Scribes were experts in interpreting Jewish law, often allied with groups like the Pharisees. In this moment, one such expert witnesses Jesus skillfully handling previous questions and seeks to test or confirm His understanding. The scribe’s question points to a crucial concern: of all the commandments contained in the Hebrew Scriptures, which is the primary one that ought to guide a believer’s life?
Jesus begins His response by stating the core confession of Israel’s faith: Jesus answered, The foremost is, HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; (v. 29). This is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4Deuteronomy 6:4 commentary, commentary the last book of the Torah and revered among God’s people. It reminds them of their covenant identity, that they belong to the one true God who revealed Himself to Abraham around 2000 BC and later rescued them from Egypt under Moses around 1446 BC. By starting with these words, Jesus unites His teaching with Israel’s longstanding tradition of worshiping one God, rather than many, emphasizing the centrality of a unique, indivisible Lord before any other concern. Observant Jews call Deuteronomy 6:4-9Deuteronomy 6:4-9 commentary "The Shema" and recite it three times per day.
Jesus continues, AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH (v. 30). Quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5Deuteronomy 6:5 commentary, commentary He highlights that true devotion calls for the whole person: emotions, intellect, will, and physical capabilities. This is not a mere intellectual belief but a comprehensive love that directs every facet of one’s life toward God. Later New Testament passages echo this theme, calling believers to worship and serve the Lord wholeheartedly (see Matthew 22:37Matthew 22:37 commentary).
Jesus then adds, The second is this, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. There is no other commandment greater than these. (v. 31). By placing love of neighbor beside the love of God, He emphasizes the inseparable link between one’s relationship with the Lord and one’s treatment of fellow human beings. This teaching finds its roots in Leviticus 19:18Leviticus 19:18 commentary and commentary underscores a core biblical truth: an authentic love for God must flow outward into a genuine love for others. These two commandments, Jesus says, hold a central and unshakable place in God’s kingdom ethics, summing up entire realms of moral guidance.
Recognizing the wisdom in Jesus’s words, the scribe responds with affirmation: The scribe said to Him, Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; (v. 32) AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. (v. 33). In the first century AD world of Jewish religious practice, offerings and sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem were considered significant. Yet, this scribe rightly discerns that the heart of obedience outshines external rituals. He stands in agreement with Jesus that God’s will is best honored by love, not merely by ceremonial acts. By mentioning these religious sacrifices, he refers to the temple’s daily and annual routines, emphasizing that no tradition can surpass genuine devotion to God and heartfelt kindness to others.
Jesus perceives the man’s sincerity and replies, When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. (v. 34). This gracious commendation implies that the scribe is close to grasping the deeper reality of God’s reign—centered on love and relationship rather than ritual perfection. Jesus Himself came as the embodiment of this kingdom, illustrating divine compassion and a call for people to love both God and neighbor. Mark closes this section, After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. (v. 34), highlighting how Jesus’s authoritative teaching silenced further challenges. Love stands as the heart of all commands and cannot be refuted when presented with such clarity.
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Mark 12:28-34 meaning
As Mark 12:28-34Mark 12:28-34 commentary unfolds, we read One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, What commandment is the foremost of all? (v. 28). This occurs in or near Jerusalem during the final week of Jesus’s earthly life, around AD 30. Scribes were experts in interpreting Jewish law, often allied with groups like the Pharisees. In this moment, one such expert witnesses Jesus skillfully handling previous questions and seeks to test or confirm His understanding. The scribe’s question points to a crucial concern: of all the commandments contained in the Hebrew Scriptures, which is the primary one that ought to guide a believer’s life?
Jesus begins His response by stating the core confession of Israel’s faith: Jesus answered, The foremost is, HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; (v. 29). This is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4Deuteronomy 6:4 commentary, commentary the last book of the Torah and revered among God’s people. It reminds them of their covenant identity, that they belong to the one true God who revealed Himself to Abraham around 2000 BC and later rescued them from Egypt under Moses around 1446 BC. By starting with these words, Jesus unites His teaching with Israel’s longstanding tradition of worshiping one God, rather than many, emphasizing the centrality of a unique, indivisible Lord before any other concern. Observant Jews call Deuteronomy 6:4-9Deuteronomy 6:4-9 commentary "The Shema" and recite it three times per day.
Jesus continues, AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH (v. 30). Quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5Deuteronomy 6:5 commentary, commentary He highlights that true devotion calls for the whole person: emotions, intellect, will, and physical capabilities. This is not a mere intellectual belief but a comprehensive love that directs every facet of one’s life toward God. Later New Testament passages echo this theme, calling believers to worship and serve the Lord wholeheartedly (see Matthew 22:37Matthew 22:37 commentary).
Jesus then adds, The second is this, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. There is no other commandment greater than these. (v. 31). By placing love of neighbor beside the love of God, He emphasizes the inseparable link between one’s relationship with the Lord and one’s treatment of fellow human beings. This teaching finds its roots in Leviticus 19:18Leviticus 19:18 commentary and commentary underscores a core biblical truth: an authentic love for God must flow outward into a genuine love for others. These two commandments, Jesus says, hold a central and unshakable place in God’s kingdom ethics, summing up entire realms of moral guidance.
Recognizing the wisdom in Jesus’s words, the scribe responds with affirmation: The scribe said to Him, Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; (v. 32) AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. (v. 33). In the first century AD world of Jewish religious practice, offerings and sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem were considered significant. Yet, this scribe rightly discerns that the heart of obedience outshines external rituals. He stands in agreement with Jesus that God’s will is best honored by love, not merely by ceremonial acts. By mentioning these religious sacrifices, he refers to the temple’s daily and annual routines, emphasizing that no tradition can surpass genuine devotion to God and heartfelt kindness to others.
Jesus perceives the man’s sincerity and replies, When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. (v. 34). This gracious commendation implies that the scribe is close to grasping the deeper reality of God’s reign—centered on love and relationship rather than ritual perfection. Jesus Himself came as the embodiment of this kingdom, illustrating divine compassion and a call for people to love both God and neighbor. Mark closes this section, After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. (v. 34), highlighting how Jesus’s authoritative teaching silenced further challenges. Love stands as the heart of all commands and cannot be refuted when presented with such clarity.