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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 12:28-34

The scribes and Pharisees were (however bad otherwise) enemies to the Sadducees; now one would have expected that, when they heard Christ argue so well against the Sadducees, they would have countenanced him, as they did Paul when he appeared against the Sadducees (Acts 23:9); but it had not the effect: because he did not fall in with them in the ceremonials of religion, he agreeing with them in the essentials, gained him no manner of respect with them. Only we have here an account of one of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 12:28-34

12:28-34 One of the experts in the law, who had listened to the discussion, and who realized that Jesus had answered them well, approached him and asked him, "What is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered, "'The Lord thy God is one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and your whole soul, and your whole mind, and your whole strength.' This is the second, 'You must love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment which is greater than these."... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:31

And the second is like ,.... "Unto it", as in Matthew 22:39 and so it is read here in two ancient copies of Beza's, and in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . This commandment stands in Leviticus 19:18 and respects not an Israelite only, or one of the same religion with a man's self, or his intimate friend and acquaintance, or one that lives in the same neighbourhood; but any man whatever, to whom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:28-34

The great commandments. This passage of the Gospel affords common ground, upon which those who lay the greatest stress upon Christian doctrine may meet with conciliation and harmony those who are wont to insist most upon Christian morality. Here is a statement, upon the highest authority, as to what God requires of man, as to what man owes to God and to his fellow-men. "Do this, and thou shalt live!" It is a sublime view of the great purposes of our spiritual being. Beyond this religion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:28-34

The Law akin to the gospel, but inferior to it. I. True RELIGIOUS INQUIRY IS ENCOURAGED BY CANDOUR AND SPIRITUAL INSIGHT ON THE PART OF RELIGIOUS TEACHERS . Matthew tells us that the Pharisees came together top the same place." when they saw the disscomfiture of the Sadducees; and "then one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying." Mark introduces him as one of the scribes. In the one Gospel the motive and encouragement are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:28-34

The essence of religion. I. THE LEADING IDEA FOR THE INTELLIGENCE . The unity of God, his personality, his supreme lovableness. "All love is lost save upon God alone." II. The leading maxim for the will. To love one's neighbor as one's self. Kant said, trying to translate the gospel into his own dialect, "Act so that the maxim of thy will may be the principle of an universal legislation." III. The moral surpasses the ritual in religion. Surpasses it by including it with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:28-34

Parallel passage: Matthew 22:34-40 .— Question about the greatest commandment. I. PUERILITIES OF THE PHARISEES . The Pharisees busied themselves about the letter of the Law, but had little practical acquaintance with its true spirit. The Jews generally divided the commandments of the Law into the preceptive and prohibitory—the "Do" and the "Do not;" nor was there anything amiss in this. But the Pharisees, we are told, counted the affirmative precepts, and found them as many... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:31

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself . God is to be loved above everything—above all angels, or men, or any created thing. But after God, amongst created things, our neighbor is above all to be loved. And we are to extend to our neighbor that kind of love with which we love ourselves. Our love of ourselves is not a frigid love, but a sincere and ardent love. In like manner we should love our neighbour, and desire for him all those good things both for the body and for the soul that we... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 12:28-34

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 12:31

Mark 12:31. And the second is like Of a like comprehensive nature; comprising the whole of our duty to man. Thou shalt love thy neighbour “The precept enjoining love to our neighbour is like to the great commandment which enjoins the love of God, because charity is the sister of piety, clearly proving its relation by the similarity of its features, complexion, and temper. As piety is the offspring of God, so is its sister, charity, being enjoined by the same authority, and produced by the... read more

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