Mark 12:28–34

The Greatest Commandment

12:28 Now58 one of the experts in the law59 came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus60 answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 12:29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 12:30 Love61 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’62 12:31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’63 There is no other commandment greater than these.” 12:32 The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him.64 12:33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength65 and to love your neighbor as yourself66 is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 12:34 When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Then no one dared any longer to question him.

58	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
59	tn Or “One of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
60	tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
61	tn Grk “You will love.” The future indicative is used here with imperatival force (see ExSyn 452 and 569).
62	sn A quotation from Deut 6:4–5 and Josh 22:5 (LXX). The fourfold reference to different parts of the person says, in effect, that one should love God with all one’s being.
63	sn A quotation from Lev 19:18.
64	sn A quotation from Deut 4:35.
65	sn A quotation from Deut 6:5.
66	sn A quotation from Lev 19:18.