Mark 12:28-34

Notes

NOTICE THE SINCERITY

This scribe came, heard, and saw that Jesus answered well and thought to himself that this Jesus might be able to answer the most important question he could imagine, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

NOTICE THE QUESTION

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

The sense of the question is thus not which is the most important commandment, but rather which commandment supersedes everything and is incumbent on all humanity—including Gentiles.

In other words, this would be akin to asking, “What does God demand from the world?”

Why ask about the most important commandment? Perhaps its because in this scribe’s mind obedience to God equalled intimacy with God. In other words, the scribe is likely asking something along the lines of, “What’s the most important thing for every human being to be close to God?”

Now, I think the scribe wants to know because he thinks of intimacy with God as we should - in terms of obedience. He asks about the greatest commandment because he wants to obey it and, therefore, be close to God.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

The sense of the question is thus not which is the most important commandment, but rather which commandment supersedes everything and is incumbent on all humanity—including Gentiles.

It should be that way in our minds as well. When we read the greatest commandment and the second, we should think to ourselves, “There is the path to intimacy with God - the path of obedience.” Too often I want the intimacy without the obedience.

It should be that way in our minds as well. We should think of obedience to God as intimacy with God. Too often I want the intimacy without the obedience.

NOTICE THE AUTHORITY

Jesus doesn’t answer with a “might be.” He says definitely that the most important command is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

The religious leaders began questioning Jesus’s authority at the end of chapter 11. With each question, however, Jesus demonstrated his divine authority by avoiding their verbal traps and revealing their lack of understanding.

Jesus is just as authoritative here. The scribe seems sincere in his question but Jesus is just as authoritative. There is no doubt that this is the greatest commandment. And, as Jesus continues, there is no doubt about the second greatest commandment either.

NOTICE THE ANSWER

Jesus quotes the Shema (Heb. “to hear”) from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

Look at the “all-ness” of what Jesus commands - “Four times in v. 30 the word “all” is repeated, emphasizing the necessity of a total response of love to the lordship of God.” - Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 371). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.

Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 371). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.

Look at the “oneness” of God - “God is the one and only Lord, not only of Israel but of every individual as well. God lays rightful claim to every facet of human personality: heart (= emotions), soul (= spirit), mind (= intelligence), and strength (= will).” - Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 371). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.

Look at the “source” of our love for God - “Each of the four commandments is prefaced by the Greek preposition ex, meaning “from the source of,” rather than “by means of.” Thus, we are commanded to love God not simply with our whole heart, but from our heart.” - Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 371). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.

NOTICE THE 2ND PART OF THE ANSWER

Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 371). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.

Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 371). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.

Jesus goes even further than the question asked and provides the scribe with the second greatest commandment as well. He quotes from , which says...

Leviticus 19:18 ESV

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Jews only thought of their fellow Jews as neighbors, but Jesus, based on the parable of the Good Samaritan (), clearly thought of all people as neighbors. The Samaritans were particularly despised by the Jews because they half Jew and half Gentile. Jewish people in Jesus’s day would have understood that if Jesus considered Samaritans neighbors, then he considered all people neighbors.

NOTICE THE COMBINATION

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

The fact that Jesus adds the commandment from Lev 19:18 to the Shema indicates that it takes both commandments to realize the one will of God.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

Although love of God and love of humanity were occasionally affirmed separately in Israel, there is no evidence that before Jesus they were ever combined. It does not appear that any rabbi before Jesus regarded love of God and neighbor as the center and sum of the law. For Jesus, the requirements of the Shema cannot be fulfilled in ritual or sacrifice but in unfeigned love of God, wholly and genuinely. The Shema must also be complemented by the love of neighbor. Love of neighbor, moreover, is the chief means of loving God, and is received as love of God; likewise, love of God expresses itself in love of neighbor (1 John 4:20).

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

At the same time, the two commandments are not blended into a compromising hybrid. The order in which Jesus declares the commandments implies that love of God is prerequisite to loving one’s neighbor

NOTICE THE SCRIBE’S RESPONSE

“Well said!”

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

The scribe’s rejoinder to Jesus reflects a collage of OT texts (Deut 4:35; 6:4; Lev 19:18; 1 Sam 15:22; Isa 45:21; Hos 6:6). His knowledge of Scripture, which is considerable, is not surprising for a scribe.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

He agrees with Jesus that “burnt offerings and sacrifices” must yield to a right relationship with God and a moral relationship with others. The offerings referred to were the kind that were consumed by fire rather than eaten by worshipers, which meant they were dedicated solely and wholly to God. Even the most sacred duties, in other words, may not take precedent over agapē love—and they have no meaning unless they are expressions of it.

NOTICE THE JUDGMENT

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

the scribe ostensibly has come to pass judgment on Jesus, but it is Jesus who passes judgment on the scribe. The scribe is equipped and authorized to pass judgment on the law, but Jesus possesses a higher authority. In yet another display of sovereign authority, Jesus declares, “ ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ ”

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Test of the Scribes (12:28–34)

One draws near to the kingdom of God not by proper theology but by drawing near to Jesus. Jesus exhibits his filial and messianic authority in declaring who is on the threshold of the kingdom of God, which is present not in the Torah but in himself.

There is no hope of obeying these two commandments; there is no hope of entering the Kingdom of God unless we first come to Jesus Christ in faith.