Mark 12:28-34

International Standard Version

The Greatest Commandment^(A)

²⁸ Then one of the scribes came near and heard the Sadducees^[a] arguing with one another. He saw how well Jesus^[b] answered them, so he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of them all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord^[c] our God is one Lord,^{[d] 30} and you must love the Lord^[e] your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’^{[f] 31} The second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’^[g] No other commandment is greater than these.”

³² Then the scribe told him, “Well said,^[h] Teacher! You have told the truth that ‘God^[i] is one, and there is no other besides him.’^{[j] 33} To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ When Jesus saw how wisely the man^[k] answered, he told him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one dared to ask him another question.