Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 12:29
Mark 12:29. Is one Lord:— See the note, on Deu 6:4 on Mat 22:37-38 and the Inferences at the end of that chapter. read more
Mark 12:29-31
Thomas Coke
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 12:29
29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is—The readings here vary considerably. TISCHENDORF and TREGELLES read simply, "the first is"; and they are followed by MEYER and ALFORD. But though the authority for the precise form of the received text is slender, a form almost identical with it seems to have most weight of authority. Our Lord here gives His explicit sanction to the distinction between commandments of a more fundamental and primary character, and commandments of a... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 12:30
30. And thou shalt—We have here the language of law, expressive of God's claims. What then are we here bound down to do? One word is made to express it. And what a word! Had the essence of the divine law consisted in deeds, it could not possibly have been expressed in a single word; for no one deed is comprehensive of all others embraced in the law. But as it consists in an affection of the soul, one word suffices to express it—but only one. Fear, though due to God and enjoined by Him, is... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 12:31
31. And the second is like—"unto it" (Matthew 22:39); as demanding the same affection, and only the extension of it, in its proper measure, to the creatures of Him whom we thus love—our brethren in the participation of the same nature, and neighbors, as connected with us by ties that render each dependent upon and necessary to the other. Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself—Now, as we are not to love ourselves supremely, this is virtually a command, in the first place, not to love our... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 12:13-37
2. The controversy over Jesus’ teaching 12:13-37Controversy over Jesus’ authority led to controversy over His teaching. The Jewish religious leaders attacked Him three times trying to destroy His credibility and popularity. They plied Him with questions about the poll tax (Mark 12:13-17), the resurrection (Mark 12:18-27), and the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-34). Then Jesus took the initiative and questioned them about Messiah’s sonship (Mark 12:35-37). This ended their attacks. The whole... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 12:27-44
B. Jesus’ teaching in the temple 11:27-12:44This entire section contains Jesus’ teaching in the temple courtyard on Wednesday. The religious leaders first questioned Jesus’ authority (Mark 11:12 to Mark 12:12) and then His teaching (Mark 12:13-37). Finally Jesus condemned their hypocrisy and commended a widow’s action that demonstrated reality (Mark 12:38-44). Jesus functioned as a faithful servant of the Lord in the role of a prophet here. read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 12:28-34
Jesus’ teaching about the greatest commandment 12:28-34 (cf. Matthew 22:34-40)The third attack by Jesus’ enemies involved a question about the greatest commandment (cf. Luke 10:25-28). read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 12:29-30
Mark’s account included Deuteronomy 6:4, which Matthew omitted. This verse, the first in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; cf. Deuteronomy 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41) that the Jews repeated twice daily, provides a basis for Deuteronomy 6:5. Shema is the first Hebrew word in this passage, and it means "Hear." Matthew’s Jewish readers would have understood this, but Mark’s Gentile readers probably would not have. Mark 12:4 is an affirmation of belief in the unity of God (i.e., in monotheism). Many of... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 12:31
The scribe had requested one commandment, but Jesus gave him two. Love for man in Leviticus 19:18 grows out of love for God in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and is inseparable from it philosophically. The Jews regarded only fellow Jews and full proselytes as their neighbors, but Jesus taught that a neighbor is anyone with whom we have any dealings whatsoever (cf. Luke 10:25-27). "Neighbor" (Gr. plesion, lit. one nearby) is a generic term for fellowman.We are to love all others as we love ourselves. The Law... read more
Subscribe
Verse of the Day
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Daily Devotional
Subscribe to receive daily devotionals to help you grow in faith and walk closer with God.
Read on Mobile
Most Searched
Group of Brands
© 2026 Bibleportal.com All rights reserved.
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 12:31
The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.As noted in the discussion under the preceding verse, Christ here gave a summary of the Decalogue, equating the first four commandments with the love of God and the last six with the love of neighbor. Jesus' answer, however, is far more than a mere summary of ancient law. Without love, first of God, and then of other human beings, there can be no unity with God who IS love. Moreover,... read more