13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement . 14 They came and said to Him, "Teacher , we know that You are truthful and defer to no one ; for You are not partial e to any , but teach the way of God in truth . Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar , or not? 15 "Shall we pay or shall we not pay ?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy , said to them, "Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at." 16 They brought one. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this ?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's ." 17 And Jesus said to them, " Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's , and to God the things that are God's ." And they were amazed at Him.
18 Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection ) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying , 19 "Teacher , Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN'S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD , HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER . 20 "There were seven brothers ; and the first took a wife , and died leaving no children . 21 "The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children ; and the third likewise ; 22 and so all seven left no children . Last of all the woman died also . 23 "In the resurrection , when they rise again , which one's wife will she be? For all seven had married her." 24 Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken , that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God ? 25 "For when they rise from the dead , they neither marry nor are given in marriage , but are like angels in heaven . 26 "But regarding the fact that the dead rise again , have you not read in the book of Moses , in the passage about the burning bush , how God spoke to him, saying , ' I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM , AND THE GOD OF ISAAC , and the God of Jacob '? 27 " He is not the God of the dead , but of the living ; you are greatly mistaken ."
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing , and recognizing that He had answered them well , asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all ?" 29 Jesus answered , "The foremost is, ' HEAR , O ISRAEL ! THE Lord OUR GOD IS ONE Lord ; 30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE Lord YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART , AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL , AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND , AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH .' 31 "The second is this , ' YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF .' There is no other commandment greater than these ." 32 The scribe said to Him, "Right , Teacher ; You have truly e stated that HE IS ONE , AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; 33 AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH , AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF , is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices ." 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently , He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God ." After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 12:13-34
Commentary on Mark 12:13-17
(Read Mark 12:13-17)
The enemies of Christ would be thought desirous to know their duty, when really they hoped that which soever side he took of the question, they might find occasion to accuse him. Nothing is more likely to insnare the followers of Christ, than bringing them to meddle with disputes about worldly politics. Jesus avoided the snare, by referring to the submission they had already made as a nation; and all that heard him, marvelled at the great wisdom of his answer. Many will praise the words of a sermon, who will not be commanded by the doctrines of it.
Commentary on Mark 12:18-27
(Read Mark 12:18-27)
A right knowledge of the Scripture, as the fountain whence all revealed religion now flows, and the foundation on which it is built, is the best preservative against error. Christ put aside the objection of the Sadducees, who were the scoffing infidels of that day, by setting the doctrine of the future state in a true light. The relation between husband and wife, though appointed in the earthly paradise, will not be known in the heavenly one. It is no wonder if we confuse ourselves with foolish errors, when we form our ideas of the world of spirits by the affairs of this world of sense. It is absurd to think that the living God should be the portion and happiness of a man if he is for ever dead; and therefore it is certain that Abraham's soul exists and acts, though now for a time separate from the body. Those that deny the resurrection greatly err, and ought to be told so. Let us seek to pass through this dying world, with a joyful hope of eternal happiness, and of a glorious resurrection.
Commentary on Mark 12:28-34
(Read Mark 12:28-34)
Those who sincerely desire to be taught their duty, Christ will guide in judgment, and teach his way. He tells the scribe that the great commandment, which indeed includes all, is, that of loving God with all our hearts. Wherever this is the ruling principle in the soul, there is a disposition to every other duty. Loving God with all our heart, will engage us to every thing by which he will be pleased. The sacrifices only represented the atonements for men's transgressions of the moral law; they were of no power except as they expressed repentance and faith in the promised Saviour, and as they led to moral obedience. And because we have not thus loved God and man, but the very reverse, therefore we are condemned sinners; we need repentance, and we need mercy. Christ approved what the scribe said, and encouraged him. He stood fair for further advance; for this knowledge of the law leads to conviction of sin, to repentance, to discovery of our need of mercy, and understanding the way of justification by Christ.