Devine Scripture

Mark 12:29

What does Mark 12:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:29 means

Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5, beginning with the \"Shema, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.\" This declaration emphasizes the singular unity and sovereignty of God, forming the bedrock of Jewish monotheistic faith. Following this, He declares the primary commandment: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This total and encompassing love is not just emotional, but intellectual, volitional, and physical, signifying complete devotion to the one true God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus said in answer, The first is, Give ear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jesus answered him--`The first of all the commands <FI>is<Fi> , Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus answered him, [The] first commandment of all [is], Hear, Israel: the Lord ourGod is one Lord;

Context

This verse contains Jesus’s immediate and authoritative answer to the scribe’s question about the greatest commandment. It clearly states the priority of loving God with one's entire being, foundational to Old Testament teaching. This primary declaration directly precedes the second great commandment, establishing the framework for all other divine expectations and setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of God’s law.

v.28And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?

v.29This passage

v.30and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 3:20

    Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.

  • Matthew 23:9

    And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:

  • Deuteronomy 30:6

    And Jehovah thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

  • Romans 3:30

    if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

  • Luke 10:27

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

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