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Mark 12

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.

And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.

And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

What does Mark 12:30 mean?

Explanation

Mark 12:30 contains one of the central tenets of Christian doctrine, which is known as the Greatest Commandment. It advises love for God to be wholehearted, complete, and encompassing every aspect of human existence.

The verse emphasizes that loving God is the most important commandment and provides a fourfold holistic approach:

"With all thy heart" refers to loving God with our entire emotional capacity. 2.

"With all thy soul" means dedicating our spiritual existence and eternal components to God. 3.

"With all thy mind" includes all cognitive processes, thoughts, and decisions. 4.

"With all thy strength" implies using all physical capabilities to serve and honor God.

This verse suggests that love for God should not be a half-hearted or compartmentalized aspect of one's life, but rather an all-encompassing commitment.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

This verse is part of a conversation between Jesus and a scribe who has asked Jesus which commandment is the most important.

Jesus' reply mirrors the Jewish Shema, which is an affirmation of Judaism and a declaration of faith in one God found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

The Gospel of Mark, believed to have been written around 70 AD, places this teaching in the context of Jesus’ ministry and His clarification of the Law in light of the new covenant.

This also reflects the social and religious context of the time, where legalistic interpretations of the Law were common among religious leaders.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this commandment encapsulates the nature of a proper relationship with God as per Christian beliefs. It resonates with the idea of God being worthy of complete and undivided love.

Some theologians also interpret this as demanding exclusivity – that love for God should supersede all other attachments or priorities.

Different theological traditions emphasize varying aspects of this commandment.

For example, the Reformation tradition focuses on the idea of faith in God's grace, highlighting loving God with the mind.

Mystical traditions might emphasize loving God with the soul, seeking a direct and personal spiritual experience.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can guide daily behavior and choices.

It suggests that every action, thought, and feeling can be an expression of love for God.

Practical applications might include prioritizing spiritual disciplines, ethical behavior, communal worship, and acts of charity, all done out of love for God rather than duty alone.

It can also mean daily mindfulness, maintaining God-centered thoughts and attitudes throughout the day.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 6:5 - "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
Matthew 22:37 - "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
Luke 10:27 - "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

Language Study

The key words in Mark 12:30 are rooted in the Greek language as follows:

Heart (καρδία - kardia): Often denotes the seat of physical, spiritual, and mental life.
Soul (ψυχή - psuche): Refers to the vital breath, the essence of life, or the living being.
Mind (διάνοια - dianoia): Denotes thought, or the faculty of understanding, and will.
Strength (ἰσχύς - ischus): Implies force, power, or might.

Understanding the nuances of these Greek terms enriches our comprehension of the fullness of love expected.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, many cultures had similar concepts of loving and serving their gods with complete devotion.

The Jewish Shema is a direct precursor of this commandment.

In the context of other religious traditions, such as Islam, there are similar maxims that command wholehearted love and submission to God (e.g., the Islamic declaration of faith Shahada).

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the way love and devotion impact human behavior can be studied psychologically and neurologically. For example, there is research on the brain's reward system and how commitment to beliefs or values can influence decision-making and well-being.

This verse might intersect with such studies as it suggests a holistic integration of love in all facets of life, which could have measurable effects on individual behaviors and mental health.

Commentaries

Commentators have offered various perspectives on this verse:

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the necessity of loving God entirely without dividing our love between God and the world.
William Barclay notes that love for God should be a total commitment that involves every fiber of a person's being.
John Gill discusses the echo of the Shema in Jesus' words, reinforcing the connection to Jewish tradition and the comprehensive nature of commitment to God.

Mark 12

Mark 12

What does Mark 12:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 12:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?