Mark 12:32

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.

Mark 12:32 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
32 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:
English Standard Version (ESV)
32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.
New Living Translation (NLT)
32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other.
The Message Bible (MSG)
32 The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate - that God is one and there is no other.
American Standard Version (ASV)
32 And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
32 The scribe said to Jesus, "Teacher, that was well said! You've told the truth that there is only one God and no other besides him!
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
32 Then the scribe said to Him, "You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
32 "You have spoken well, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one. There is no other God but him.

Mark 12:32 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 12:32

And the Scribe said unto him
This reply of the Scribe, is not related by Matthew:

well, Master, thou hast said the truth:
what thou hast said is truth, and thou hast expressed it in a most beautiful manner: the Scribe was charmed with his answer, and could not forbear speaking in commendation of it, and even before the multitude, and those of his own sect: this was a rare and uncommon instance; it was not usual with the Scribes and Pharisees, whatever convictions they were laid under, either by the miracles or discourses of Christ, to own any thing, or make any concessions in his favour, or speak in his praise: but this man not only commends him, but gives reasons for it, and confirms the doctrine he taught in his own words;

for there is one God, and there is none other but he.
The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, leave out the word "God"; but it is in the Greek copies, and rightly retained in other versions: for the sense is, that there is one God, and but one; and which is perfectly agreeable to the Christian doctrine, of a Trinity of persons in the Godhead; for though the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, yet there are not three Gods, but one God. Nor are we to imagine, that this man said or thought any thing to the contrary, or had it in his mind to oppose the doctrine of the Trinity; which, though more clearly revealed in the New Testament, was not unknown to the ancient Jews, and might be learned from the writings of the Old Testament: but this he said, in opposition to the many idols, and fictitious deities of the Gentiles; and if he spake in the Hebrew language, as it is probable he did, there must be a beautiful "paranomasia" in his words; "for there is", (dxa) , "Achad, one God; and there is none", (rxa) , "Achar, other but he": and it is observed by a Jewish writer F25, that the reason why the last letter of, (dxa) , "one", is greater than the rest, as before observed, in ( Mark 12:29 ) is, that there might be no mistake of (d) , for (r) , which are much alike; and if mistook, the word would signify "another", and not "one": but this is done, lest a man should mistake, and worship "another", and not the "one" God.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Baal Hatturim, ib.

Mark 12:32 In-Context

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.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
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 burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Deuteronomy 4:35,39; Isaiah 45:6,14; Isaiah 46:9
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.