28 One 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 ?" 29 Jesus answered , "The foremost is, ' HEAR , O ISRAEL ! THE Lord OUR GOD IS ONE Lord ; 30 AND 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 .' 31 "The second is this , ' YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF .' There is no other commandment greater than these ." 32 The scribe said to Him, "Right , Teacher ; You have truly e stated that HE IS ONE , AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; 33 AND 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 ." 34 When 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 .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 12:28-34
Commentary on Mark 12:28-34
(Read Mark 12:28-34)
Those who sincerely desire to be taught their duty, Christ will guide in judgment, and teach his way. He tells the scribe that the great commandment, which indeed includes all, is, that of loving God with all our hearts. Wherever this is the ruling principle in the soul, there is a disposition to every other duty. Loving God with all our heart, will engage us to every thing by which he will be pleased. The sacrifices only represented the atonements for men's transgressions of the moral law; they were of no power except as they expressed repentance and faith in the promised Saviour, and as they led to moral obedience. And because we have not thus loved God and man, but the very reverse, therefore we are condemned sinners; we need repentance, and we need mercy. Christ approved what the scribe said, and encouraged him. He stood fair for further advance; for this knowledge of the law leads to conviction of sin, to repentance, to discovery of our need of mercy, and understanding the way of justification by Christ.