Mark 12:28

Mark 12:28 (KJV): "¶ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?"

Context

This verse introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus's public ministry, occurring in the Temple courts in Jerusalem during His final week before the crucifixion. Prior to this, Jesus had faced a series of challenging questions from various religious factions—the Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap Him with a question about taxes, and the Sadducees attempted to discredit the resurrection. In each instance, Jesus responded with profound wisdom, silencing His adversaries.

The scribe in Mark 12:28 is different. He is not approaching Jesus with malice or a desire to trap Him, but rather with a genuine theological inquiry. He has observed Jesus's previous interactions and "perceived that he had answered them well," suggesting a sincere respect for Jesus's teaching and insight. This sets the stage for one of Jesus's most significant declarations regarding the core of God's law.

Key Themes

• Genuine Inquiry: Unlike the hostile questions Jesus often faced, the scribe's query is born out of sincere curiosity and admiration for Jesus's wisdom. This highlights the importance of seeking truth with an open heart.
• The Essence of the Law: The question, "Which is the first commandment of all?", was a common rabbinic debate among Jewish scholars. With over 600 commandments in the Torah, identifying the foundational principle was a significant theological exercise, seeking the heart of God's will.
• Jesus's Authority and Wisdom: The scribe's acknowledgment that Jesus "had answered them well" underscores Jesus's unparalleled understanding of scripture and His ability to articulate divine truth clearly and powerfully.

Linguistic Insights

The term "scribe" (Greek: grammateus) refers to a learned man, an expert in Jewish law and tradition. Scribes were responsible for copying the scriptures, interpreting the Law, and often serving as legal advisors. They were highly respected and influential figures in Jewish society, often associated with the Pharisees.

The phrase "first commandment" (Greek: protos entolē) points to the idea of a primary, most important, or fundamental command. The scribe is asking for the foundational principle upon which all other commandments rest, or from which they derive their meaning.

Related Scriptures

This verse naturally leads into Jesus's profound answer, which is detailed in the subsequent verses. Jesus identifies the greatest commandment as loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second as loving one's neighbor as oneself. For Jesus's complete answer to the scribe, see Mark 12:29-31.

Parallel accounts of Jesus being asked about the greatest commandment can be found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In Matthew 22:34-40, a lawyer (another term for a scribe or expert in the Law) asks a similar question. Luke's account in Luke 10:25-28 also features a lawyer asking about inheriting eternal life, prompting a similar discussion about the Law.

The first part of Jesus's answer to the scribe directly quotes the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, a central declaration of faith for the Jewish people.

Practical Application

Mark 12:28 highlights the importance of seeking to understand the core principles of faith. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that genuine spiritual inquiry is valuable. It also sets the stage for Jesus's teaching on the two great commandments, emphasizing that all of God's law and the prophets hang on love for God and love for neighbor. This prioritization calls us to examine our own lives: are we truly prioritizing our relationship with God and demonstrating His love to those around us?