Devine Scripture

Mark 12:31

What does Mark 12:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:31 means

Jesus then presents the second great commandment: \"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\" Taken from Leviticus 19:18, this command links true love for God with practical love for fellow human beings. It implies treating others with the same care, respect, and consideration one naturally grants oneself. Jesus declares that there is no commandment greater than these two, establishing them as the foundational principles upon which all other laws and prophetic teachings depend. Genuine faith is expressed in both vertical devotion to God and horizontal compassion for humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The second is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. There is no other law greater than these.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the second <FI>is<Fi> like <FI>it<Fi> , this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; --greater than these there is no other command.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a second like it [is] this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is not another commandment greater than these.

Context

This verse delivers the second part of Jesus's dual summary of the Law, establishing the principle of loving one’s neighbor. It immediately follows the comprehensive articulation of love for God, linking the two as inseparable. This declaration of the two greatest commandments completes Jesus's definitive answer to the scribe, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of true righteousness and paving the way for the scribe’s affirming response.

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.

v.31This passage

v.32And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he:

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4

    Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

  • Luke 10:36

    Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?

  • 1 John 3:17

    But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?

  • Matthew 7:12

    All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.

  • Leviticus 19:13

    Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him: the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

  • Galatians 5:14

    For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

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