Mark 12:28-34

The Greatest Commandment

28 Now 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?” ¹

29 Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ^[a]

31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ^[b] No other commandment is greater than these.”

32 “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him,

33 and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further.

Cross References

• 1. (Deuteronomy 6:1–19; Matthew 22:34–40)

Footnotes

• [a] Deuteronomy 6:4–5
• [b] Leviticus 19:18