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Mark 12:29
Verse
Context
The Greatest Commandment
28Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”29Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is--The readings here vary considerably. TISCHENDORF and TREGELLES read simply, "the first is"; and they are followed by MEYER and ALFORD. But though the authority for the precise form of the received text is slender, a form almost identical with it seems to have most weight of authority. Our Lord here gives His explicit sanction to the distinction between commandments of a more fundamental and primary character, and commandments of a more dependent and subordinate nature; a distinction of which it is confidently asserted by a certain class of critics that the Jews knew nothing, that our Lord and His apostles nowhere lay down, and which has been invented by Christian divines. (Compare Mat 23:23). Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord--This every devout Jew recited twice every day, and the Jews do it to this day; thus keeping up the great ancient national protest against the polytheisms and pantheisms of the heathen world: it is the great utterance of the national faith in One Living and Personal God--"ONE JEHOVAH!"
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the second is like,.... "Unto it", as in Mat 22:39 and so it is read here in two ancient copies of Beza's, and in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. This commandment stands in Lev 19:18 and respects not an Israelite only, or one of the same religion with a man's self, or his intimate friend and acquaintance, or one that lives in the same neighbourhood; but any man whatever, to whom affection should be shown, and good should be done to him, and for him, as a man would have done to and for himself; as much as lies in his power, both in things temporal and spiritual; see the note on Mat 22:39. There is none other commandment greater than these; in the whole law, moral or ceremonial; not the sabbath, nor circumcision, nor the phylacteries, nor the fringes on the borders of the garments, nor any other.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
12:29-31 Jesus’ reply combined two widely separated commands from the Torah. • The first, Deut 6:4-5, was probably the best known passage in the Old Testament, for it was repeated twice daily by observant Jews. It is called the Shema because it begins with the word Listen (Hebrew shema‘). The first command corresponds to the first part of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:2-11), which deals with a person’s relationship to God. • The oneness of God is foundational to Jewish and Christian monotheism and is the basis for the command to love God with all one’s heart (thinking and affection), soul (desire and feeling), mind (understanding), and strength (energy and power). • The second command is from Lev 19:18. It corresponds to the second part of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:12-17), which concerns a person’s relationship with other people. The second command is based on the natural inclination of people to look after themselves. Its importance to the early church can be seen in its frequent repetition (Matt 5:43-44; 19:19; 25:31-46; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8; Didache 1.2; 2.7). The two commands are not independent, but are intimately associated as one commandment. Their integration precludes religious mysticism that addresses only a person’s relationship with God or humanism that addresses only human relationships.
Mark 12:29
The Greatest Commandment
28Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”29Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 1
By Richard Wurmbrand5.6K09:46PSA 127:3PRO 18:21ECC 4:2MAT 18:3MRK 12:29JHN 1:1EPH 4:29HEB 4:12JAS 1:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to God and each other, highlighting a personal story of enduring love and faithfulness through trials. It delves into the concept of innocence and the eternal destiny of unborn children, shedding light on the significance of love and understanding in relationships. The speaker also touches on the Hebrew language's unique perspective on faith and the real essence of God's word, encouraging a deeper spiritual enrichment.
(Om Orientation) Our Motive Love - Part 1
By George Verwer3.4K27:54LoveMAT 6:33MAT 9:9MAT 22:39MRK 12:29MRK 12:31LUK 14:331CO 13:2In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obedience to the word of God, particularly in regards to possessions and giving. He mentions that many people today are resistant to this message due to the materialistic culture we live in. The preacher also discusses the concept of forsaking all and compares it to the teachings in the book "True Discipleship" and a verse from the Bible. He highlights the need for compassion as a driving force in our actions and mentions the importance of love and prayer in fulfilling the commandments of God.
False Gods
By B.B. Caldwell2.0K45:32IdolatryEXO 20:1MRK 12:291JN 5:21In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of facing the consequences of our sins and the need to turn to a holy God. He highlights the Ten Commandments as the law that governs our relationship with both God and our fellow human beings. The preacher shares a personal experience where he disturbed a congregation by challenging them to examine their idols and put them on the altar. He emphasizes the commandment to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. The sermon concludes with the message of turning away from false gods and idols and waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.
Motive Love - Orientation 5
By George Verwer70052:43MAT 22:37MRK 12:29LUK 6:27LUK 14:33ACT 2:42In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love and prayer in the Christian life. He highlights the connection between faith, love, and prayer, stating that without love, our actions are meaningless. The preacher challenges the audience, particularly university students, to examine their lives and see if they are truly living in love. He shares a testimony of a young man who was deeply impacted by the love he witnessed in a group of believers, emphasizing the need for love to be evident in our lives. The preacher also mentions the importance of forsaking all and living in obedience to God's Word.
Preaching That Hinders Revival
By Richard Owen Roberts0ISA 6:5ISA 6:8JER 6:13MAT 9:12MRK 12:292PE 1:52PE 1:10Richard Owen Roberts preaches about the hindrances to revival caused by errors in preaching, such as man-centered preaching, timid preaching, preaching that evokes strange fire, self-exalting preaching, non-doctrinal preaching, preaching of minor consequence, preaching without authority, preaching without power, superficial healing preaching, teaching instead of preaching, and preaching that calls for no response or a false response. He emphasizes the need for preachers to align their messages with God's truth, speak with authority and power, and call for genuine repentance and response from their listeners to avoid hindering revival.
The Triunity of God
By Keith Malcomson0GEN 1:26DEU 4:35PSA 25:14MRK 12:29JHN 10:30JHN 14:16JHN 17:21ROM 16:251CO 8:4Keith Malcomson addresses the confusion surrounding the nature of God, particularly focusing on the denial of the trinity by various religious groups throughout history. He delves into the biblical teaching of the triune nature of God, emphasizing the unity and oneness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Malcomson highlights the importance of understanding God's triunity and refutes the Oneness doctrine that denies the distinct persons within the Godhead. He explains how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in perfect unity for the redemption of mankind, inviting believers to enter into a practical unity and oneness with the triune God.
Lincoln and the Church
By Elton Trueblood0MAT 22:37MRK 12:29LUK 10:271CO 1:10COL 3:141TH 5:21HEB 10:24JAS 1:271PE 2:17Abraham Lincoln's theology did not require him to be a member of a particular church, as his faith was centered more in the Bible than in the Church. His failure to join a church was common in his time, where church membership was not as central as it is in modern times. Lincoln's respect for churches grew during his presidency, especially as he faced criticism from some church members and clergy. Despite not joining a specific church, Lincoln admired various denominations and recognized the importance of organized worshiping groups.
Know God
By Chuck Smith0Knowing GodGrace and FaithMRK 12:29Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of knowing the true and living God, highlighting that the first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He explains the concept of God's oneness as a compound unity, which is foundational to understanding His nature. Smith contrasts Christianity with other religions, asserting that Christianity is God's attempt to reach man through grace, rather than man's efforts to reach God. He encourages believers to recognize the Bible as God's revelation, supported by its prophetic nature, which confirms its divine origin. Ultimately, knowing God is presented as the most crucial aspect of faith.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is--The readings here vary considerably. TISCHENDORF and TREGELLES read simply, "the first is"; and they are followed by MEYER and ALFORD. But though the authority for the precise form of the received text is slender, a form almost identical with it seems to have most weight of authority. Our Lord here gives His explicit sanction to the distinction between commandments of a more fundamental and primary character, and commandments of a more dependent and subordinate nature; a distinction of which it is confidently asserted by a certain class of critics that the Jews knew nothing, that our Lord and His apostles nowhere lay down, and which has been invented by Christian divines. (Compare Mat 23:23). Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord--This every devout Jew recited twice every day, and the Jews do it to this day; thus keeping up the great ancient national protest against the polytheisms and pantheisms of the heathen world: it is the great utterance of the national faith in One Living and Personal God--"ONE JEHOVAH!"
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the second is like,.... "Unto it", as in Mat 22:39 and so it is read here in two ancient copies of Beza's, and in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. This commandment stands in Lev 19:18 and respects not an Israelite only, or one of the same religion with a man's self, or his intimate friend and acquaintance, or one that lives in the same neighbourhood; but any man whatever, to whom affection should be shown, and good should be done to him, and for him, as a man would have done to and for himself; as much as lies in his power, both in things temporal and spiritual; see the note on Mat 22:39. There is none other commandment greater than these; in the whole law, moral or ceremonial; not the sabbath, nor circumcision, nor the phylacteries, nor the fringes on the borders of the garments, nor any other.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
12:29-31 Jesus’ reply combined two widely separated commands from the Torah. • The first, Deut 6:4-5, was probably the best known passage in the Old Testament, for it was repeated twice daily by observant Jews. It is called the Shema because it begins with the word Listen (Hebrew shema‘). The first command corresponds to the first part of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:2-11), which deals with a person’s relationship to God. • The oneness of God is foundational to Jewish and Christian monotheism and is the basis for the command to love God with all one’s heart (thinking and affection), soul (desire and feeling), mind (understanding), and strength (energy and power). • The second command is from Lev 19:18. It corresponds to the second part of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:12-17), which concerns a person’s relationship with other people. The second command is based on the natural inclination of people to look after themselves. Its importance to the early church can be seen in its frequent repetition (Matt 5:43-44; 19:19; 25:31-46; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8; Didache 1.2; 2.7). The two commands are not independent, but are intimately associated as one commandment. Their integration precludes religious mysticism that addresses only a person’s relationship with God or humanism that addresses only human relationships.