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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_12:28-34
28One 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?" 29Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30and 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.' 31The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no other commandment greater than these." 32The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 33and 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." 34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.
Mar_12:28 "scribes" These were usually non-priestly (i.e., not Levite), who became scholars in the Oral Traditions (i.e., the Talmud) of the Jews. In the OT local Levites interpreted the sacred writings to the people (cf. Nehemiah 8). As the local synagogue developed in Babylonian exile, the role of local teachers and interpreters grew in significance. By Jesus' day most of these scribes were Pharisees. They developed historically (i.e., after the destruction of the Temple) into rabbinical Judaism. See Special Topic at Mar_2:6.
▣ "heard them arguing" The parallel in Mat_22:34-35 seems to imply ulterior motives, but Mark's Gospel implies he was truly interested in the theological question.
Mar_12:29 "'hear'" Jesus quotes from Deu_6:4-5, but not from the Masoretic Text or the Septuagint (the parallel in Mat_22:37 is closer to the MT, but not exact). Jesus' quote adds a phrase to both the Masoretic Hebrew text and the Septuagint Greek text. This exact quote is unknown from any OT text. The LXX changes the Hebrew "heart" to "mind" or "understanding." But this quote adds the phrase "with all your mind" to the three-fold phrasing (i.e., heart, soul, strength) in the MT and LXX. The NJB recognizes this by printing the phrase as not part of the OT quote (i.e., not in italics). It is interesting that the Greek uncial manuscript D (i.e., Bezae) from the fifth century omits the phrase "and with all your mind" entirely. This may reflect the original because its absence matches the scribes' response in Mar_12:33.
In the Matthew parallel (i.e., Mat_22:32) Matthew quotes Jesus as saying, "with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Here the Hebrew clause "with all your strength" is left out. It is so surprising that Mark and Matthew disagree with each other and with both the MT and the LXX. This is a perfect example of the looseness of many of the OT quotes in the NT (even those attributed to Jesus). Here is where precision is impossible. They all (i.e., LXX, Matt. and Mark) reflect the general sense of the quote from Moses.
This OT text (i.e., Deu_6:4-5) is called the Shema, which is the Hebrew word "hear." It means to hear so as to do. It has become the Jewish affirmation of monotheism. It is prayed daily by faithful Jews and on every Sabbath. There are other texts on the oneness and uniqueness of God in the Prophets, but this one is in the writings of Moses (i.e., Gen. ¯ Deut.) and is, therefore, binding on all of Jesus' listeners (i.e., Sadducees and Pharisees).
Mar_12:30 Jesus' answer shows that there are two aspects to God's primary commandment: (1) the unity and uniqueness of God and (2) our total commitment to Him and Him alone!
▣ "heart" See Special Topic at Mar_2:6.
Mar_12:31 "'you shall love your neighbor'" This is a quote from Lev_19:18 in the Septuagint. Jesus linked theological truth to practical, ethical demands (cf. Zechariah 7-8). It is impossible to love God and hate those made in His image (cf. 1Jn_2:9-11; 1Jn_3:15; 1Jn_4:20).
It is impossible to love your neighbor (i.e., covenant brother or sister) as yourself if you do not love yourself. There is an appropriate self-love which is based on God's priority love for mankind. We are His creation, fashioned in His image (cf. Gen_1:26-27). We must rejoice in our giftedness and accept our physical, mental, and psychological makeup (cf. Psalms 139). To criticize ourselves is to criticize our Maker! He can transform our fallenness into a reflection of His glory (i.e., Christlikeness).
Christianity involves a personal faith commitment to God through Christ. It starts as an individual volitional decision of repentance and faith. However, it issues in a family experience. We are gifted for the common good (cf. 1Co_12:7). We are part of the body of Christ. How we treat others reveals our true devotion to Christ. The oneness of God and mankind made in the image and likeness of God demands an appropriate response toward God and toward other humans (i.e., especially those of the household of faith).
▣ "'There is no other commandment greater than these'" This statement is so hard for legalistic (i.e., weak; cf. Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:13) believers to accept. With a total love for God and covenant brothers (and even the lost) there are no rules. Rules are to flow from a changed heart and mind; they do not produce godliness!
Mar_12:32-33 "'He. . .Him'" These pronouns refer to YHWH. Because of Exo_20:7, most Jews would have been uncomfortable pronouncing the Covenant name of God.
▣ "'there is no one else besides Him'" This phrase does not deny the existence of other spiritual beings such as angels. This literally meant that no one was before or beside YHWH. He is a unique category (cf. Exo_8:10; Exo_9:14; Deu_4:35; Deu_4:39). This scribe is expressing YHWH's uniqueness!
Mar_12:33 "'love. . .is much more than all burnt offerings'" This scribe had great understanding about the relationship between faith and rituals (cf. 1Sa_15:22; Isa_1:11-14; Hos_6:6; Amo_5:21-24; Mic_6:6-8). This is not to depreciate temple ritual, but to assert that proper motive and faith are crucial (i.e., joining the priestly and prophetic insights).
Mar_12:34 "'You are not far from the kingdom of God'" This statement was another way that Jesus asserted the centrality of a positive and immediate faith response to Himself. The kingdom was available then (i.e., through faith in Jesus), not somewhere in the future. Although this man understood OT theology, he was not right with God without placing his faith in Christ. Correct theology does not assure salvation! Knowledge of the Bible does not assure salvation! The performance of religious ritual and liturgy does not assure salvation! Faith in Christ does!