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 .
35 And Jesus began to say , as He taught in the temple , "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David ? 36 "David himself said in the Holy Spirit , ' THE Lord SAID TO MY Lord , "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND , UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET ."' 37 "David himself calls Him 'Lord '; so in what sense is He his son ?" And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.
38 In His teaching He was saying : "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes , and like respectful greetings in the market places , 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets , 40 who devour widows' houses , and for appearance's sake offer long prayers ; these will receive greater condemnation ."
41 And He sat down opposite the treasury , and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury ; and many rich people were putting in large sums . 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins , which amount to a cent . 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury ; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus , but she, out of her poverty , put in all e she owned , all she had to live on."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 12:33-46
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.
Commentary on Mark 12:35-40
(Read Mark 12:35-40)
When we attend to what the Scriptures declare, as to the person and offices of Christ, we shall be led to confess him as our Lord and God; to obey him as our exalted Redeemer. If the common people hear these things gladly, while the learned and distinguished oppose, the former are happy, and the latter to be pitied. And as sin, disguised with a show of piety, is double iniquity, so its doom will be doubly heavy.
Commentary on Mark 12:41-44
(Read Mark 12:41-44)
Let us not forget that Jesus still sees the treasury. He knows how much, and from what motives, men give to his cause. He looks at the heart, and what our views are, in giving alms; and whether we do it as unto the Lord, or only to be seen of men. It is so rare to find any who would not blame this widow, that we cannot expect to find many who will do like to her; and yet our Saviour commends her, therefore we are sure that she did well and wisely. The feeble efforts of the poor to honour their Saviour, will be commended in that day, when the splendid actions of unbelievers will be exposed to contempt.