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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 12:32

And the Scribe said unto him ,.... This reply of the Scribe, is not related by Matthew: well, Master, thou hast said the truth : what thou hast said is truth, and thou hast expressed it in a most beautiful manner: the Scribe was charmed with his answer, and could not forbear speaking in commendation of it, and even before the multitude, and those of his own sect: this was a rare and uncommon instance; it was not usual with the Scribes and Pharisees, whatever convictions they were laid... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 12:32

And the scribe said - The answer of the scribe, contained in Mark 12:32-34 , is not found either in Matthew or Luke. This is another proof against Mark's supposed abridgment. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 12:32

Verse 32 Mark 12:32.Master, thou hast spoken well, and with truth. Mark alone mentions that the scribe was softened down; and it is worthy of notice that, though he had attacked Christ maliciously, and with the intention of taking him by surprise, not only does he silently yield to the latter, but openly and candidly assents to what Christ had said. Thus we see that he did not belong to the class of those enemies whose obstinacy is incurable; for, though they have been a hundred times... 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 12:32

The first words of this verse should be rendered thus: Of a truth, Master, thou hast well said that he is one . In the remainder of the scribe's answer we find a different word used in the Greek for" mind," or "understanding," from that just used by our Lord. In our Lord's answer the word is διάνοια . Here it is σύνεσις . Both words are well rendered by "understanding." It is an act of understanding. It is the thought associating itself with the object, and "standing under" it so as to... read more

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