The Greatest Commandment—And a Surprising Question About the Messiah (Mark 12:28-37)
In Mark 12:28–37, we find two powerful moments in Jesus’ ministry: one is a warm and thoughtful conversation about love, and the other is a deep question that makes people stop and think.
Let’s explore what happens and what it means for us today.
A Sincere Question: What Matters Most?
One of the religious teachers overheard Jesus talking with a group of people and was impressed with His answers. This teacher had a real question on his heart, not a trick or trap like others had asked.
He asked Jesus,
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus gave a clear and beautiful answer:
“The most important one is this: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ And the second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Jesus summed up the whole purpose of God’s law in just two simple instructions:
Love God completely. Love people deeply.
The Teacher Agrees
The teacher was moved by Jesus’ answer. He said,
“You’re right, Teacher. Loving God and loving others is more important than all the religious rituals and sacrifices.”
Jesus saw that the man truly understood. He told him,
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
This moment is meaningful because it shows that understanding God’s heart—love—is the key to truly following Him.
A Deeper Question from Jesus
Right after this conversation, Jesus asked the crowd a thoughtful question of His own.
He said,
“Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David?”
Then He reminded them that in the Scriptures, King David himself called the Messiah ‘Lord.’ So Jesus asked,
“If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
This might sound confusing at first, but Jesus was helping people think more deeply. They expected the Messiah to be a powerful human ruler from David’s family. But Jesus was showing them the Messiah is more than just a man—He is Lord, meaning divine.
Jesus was gently pointing them toward the truth: He is both the promised descendant of David and the Son of God.
What This Means for Us
This short passage teaches us two big truths that are still important today:
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Love is the foundation of faith.
God cares more about how we love Him and others than about outward appearances or religious routines. -
Jesus is more than a good teacher or a great leader—He is Lord.
He invites us not only to learn from Him, but to follow Him as the one who truly understands and fulfills God’s plan.
Final Thought:
You don’t have to memorize a long list of rules to please God. Start by loving Him with all you are, and loving others as He loves you. That’s what matters most—and when you do that, you’re not far from the kingdom of God either.
Mark 12:28-37 (WEB)
12:28 One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”29 Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he; 33 and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.”No one dared ask him any question after that. 35 Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 For David himself said in the Holy Spirit,‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at my right hand,until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.” ’37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?”The common people heard him gladly.