Mark 12:28-44

Mark 12

Love God and Your Neighbor

²⁸ One of the experts in the law approached after he heard their discussion. When he saw that Jesus had answered them well, he asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord, our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ ^{[1] 31} The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ^[2] There is no other commandment greater than these.”

³² The expert in the law said to him, “Well said, teacher. You have spoken correctly on the basis of the truth that he is one, and there is no other besides him. ^{[3] 33} To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ^[4]

³⁴ When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

David’s Son and David’s Lord

³⁵ While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he responded by saying, “How is it that the experts in the law say that the Christ is the Son of David? ³⁶ David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

³⁷ “David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Do Not Do What They Do

³⁸ He also said to them in his teaching, “Beware of the experts in the law who like to walk around in long robes and receive greetings in the marketplaces. ³⁹ They love the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and offer long prayers to look good. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

The Poor Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the offering box and was watching how the crowd put money into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴² One poor widow came and put in two small bronze coins, ^[6] worth less than a penny. ^{[7] 43} He called his disciples together and said to them, “Amen I tell you: This poor widow put more into the offering box than all the others. ⁴⁴ For they all gave out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all that she had to live on.”