Mark 12:33
What does Mark 12:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 12:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 12:33 means
The scribe further affirms Jesus’s teaching, declaring that loving God with all one’s heart, understanding, and strength, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself, is far more significant and valuable than all the elaborate burnt offerings and sacrifices prescribed in the Law. This insight highlights a profound spiritual understanding, recognizing that true devotion and obedience manifest in an inward heart attitude and outward actions of love, rather than merely external religious rituals. He correctly prioritizes internal righteousness over external ceremony.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And to have love for him with all the heart, and with all the mind, and with all the strength, and to have the same love for his neighbour as for himself, is much more than all forms of offerings.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and to love Him out of all the heart, and out of all the understanding, and out of all the soul, and out of all the strength, and to love one's neighbour as one's self, is more than all the whole burnt-offerings and the sacrifices.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And that he should be loved with the whole heart and with the whole understanding and with the whole soul and with the whole strength. And to love one's neighbour as one's self is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and to love him with all the heart, and with all the intelligence, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbour as one's self, is more than all the burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
Context
This verse expands on the scribe's affirmation, showing a deeper understanding of Jesus's teaching by prioritizing love over ritual sacrifice. It immediately follows the scribe's agreement with the oneness of God and the two great commandments. This insightful statement underscores the scribe’s spiritual discernment and provides a strong contrast to the externalism of many religious leaders, directly leading to Jesus's commendation of the scribe.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 50:8
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me.
- Matthew 12:7
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
- Micah 6:6
Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?
- Jeremiah 7:21
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Add your burnt-offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat ye flesh.
- Psalms 50:23
Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; And to him that ordereth his way aright Will I show the salvation of God.
- Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
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