Keraia
Mark 12

Mark 12:34

The Greatest Commandment · Mark 12:28–34
Read Mark 12

Translations

Modern
When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further.
Traditional
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Literal
And Jesus, having seen him that he answered wisely, said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.
Latin
Jesus autem videns quod sapienter respondisset, dixit illi: Non es longe a regno Dei. Et nemo jam audebat eum interrogare.

Interlinear

Greek
English
When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further.

Notes

Mark 12:34

The account ends with Jesus praising the teacher of religious law for understanding that these two commands were more important than burnt offerings and sacrifices (see Hosea 6:6). We remain uncertain about what happened to this man. He was close to the kingdom of God, but did he enter it? Mark might have left this question open so each person would consider, Have I entered the kingdom of God?

Mark 12:28–34

After the three hostile challenges in 11:27–12:27, we might expect the next question to Jesus to be hostile (see 11:28; 12:13, 15, 19–23). However, this question was different. Earlier in Mark, the teachers of religious law usually opposed Jesus (2:6–7, 16; 3:22; 7:1, 5; 8:31; 9:14; 10:33; 11:18, 27). Jesus also warned the crowds about their lack of honesty (12:38–40). But this teacher spoke respectfully to Jesus and even praised him (12:28, 32–33). Jesus said the man answered wisely and was "not far from the kingdom of God" (12:34).

Events

Parallels

Deuteronomy 6:1–19 Matthew 22:34–40

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Mark, Gospel of Scribe

Topics

Jesus, the Christ: Tested by a Biblical Expert (In Jerusalem) Prudence: The Scribe Satire of Jesus Against Hypocrites Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to