"Not far from the kingdom of God " I. THE HIGHEST INTERPRETATION OF HUMAN DUTY APPROACHES THE GOSPEL , BUT FALLS SHORT OF IT . II. THE CONDITIONS OF ENTRANCE INTO CHRIST 'S KINGDOM ARE MORAL , AND NOT MERELY INTELLECTUAL . Faith; obedience; love. The heart, or central being. III. NO MAN OUGHT TO BE SATISFIED WITH MERELY BEING " NOT FAR " FROM THE KINGDOM . 1 . To stop there is to stultify our... read more
Various effects of Christ's ministry. There was a vigor and directness, an unsparing boldness and fidelity, peculiar to the ministry of our Lord in Jerusalem during the last week of his life. This no doubt precipitated the crisis, enraging his enemies at the same time that it silenced their reasonings. Two remarks are made by the evangelist which show us what was the effect of Christ's discourses and conversations both upon his foes and upon the multitude. I. HIS ENEMIES WERE ... read more
See the notes at Matthew 22:34-40.Mark 12:28Perceiving that he answered them well - That is, with wisdom, and with a proper understanding of the law. In this case the opinion of the Saviour corresponded with that of the Pharisees; and the question which this scribe put to him now seems to have been one of the very few candid inquiries of him by the Jews for the purpose of obtaining information. Jesus answered it in the spirit of kindness, and commended the conduct of the man.Mark 12:29Hear, O... read more
Mark 12:32-34. The scribe Who had proposed the question to try him, being struck with the solidity and spirit of his answer, said, Well, Master In the original it is, καλως , excellently, finely, or beautifully; a phrase which expresses his high satisfaction in the reply much more strongly than the word well. Thou hast said the truth Thy declaration is perfectly correct, and unspeakably important; for there is one God, &c., and to love him with all the heart To love and serve... read more
127. The greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34)When a teacher of the law asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, Jesus gave an answer that went beyond what the questioner expected. All the commandments of the law could be summarized under the word ‘love’. A person’s first responsibility is to love God; the second is to love one’s fellow human beings. The fact that people are commanded to love shows that love is primarily a matter of doing, not feeling. It is an attitude... read more
discreetly = judiciously. Greek nounechos. Occurs only here in N. T, from = away from. Greek. apo App-104 . the kingdom of God . See App-114 . read more
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.Not far from the kingdom ... Alas, this is the epitaph for many. Men behold, in some glorious burst of apprehension, the majesty and truth of the Son of God; but the road of acceptance is rugged, being blocked at every milestone with difficulties and opposition. If this scribe had confessed the Lord, he would have been thrown out of the... read more
Mark 12:34. Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.— Jesus applauded the piety and wisdom of the scribe's reflection, by declaring, that the person who made it, was not far from the kingdom of God, or from being a real Christian. He had expressed sentiments becoming a subject of God's kingdom, and such as might have a happy influence in disposing him to embrace the Gospel in sincerity, by which he might obtain a share in all the blessings of the children of God. It is added, that no man,... read more
34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly—rather, "intelligently," or "sensibly"; not only in a good spirit, but with a promising measure of insight into spiritual things. he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God—for he had but to follow out a little further what he seemed sincerely to own, to find his way into the kingdom. He needed only the experience of another eminent scribe who at a later period said, "We know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:34
"Not far from the kingdom." That this scribe should have shown so deep an admiration for the Divine Law, so clear a perception of the superiority of the spiritual to the ceremonial, so discerning an appreciation of the Divine Master,—all this was to his credit, and awakened the approval and elicited the commendation of our Lord. In the language Jesus addressed to him, a description is given of not a few hearers of the gospel, who present in their character much that is admirable, but who... read more