Mark 12:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord, eager to demonstrate that true fulfillment of the law is unattainable in the absence of love and when harboring animosity towards others, responds to the lawyer by declaring that the foremost commandment is to love God. Additionally, heed the Lord's statement: 'Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he loves me' (John 14:21). Notice that obeying His commandments hinges on love for God, and that all His commandments ultimately lead to one central goal—mutual love. Furthermore, the Lord states: 'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love among yourselves' (John 13:35). Recognize how our love for one another maintains our love for Christ and how genuine disciples and friends of Christ can be identified!

If there is only one God, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4, who reigns over both heaven and earth, how can any other deity exist apart from Him? Furthermore, where is the dwelling of such false gods when the entirety of creation, both in the heavens and on the earth, is enveloped and occupied by the one true God?

To claim that God is one, and consequently deny the divinity of the Son of God, is to trample on a sacred truth with blasphemy. Yet, He bears witness to Himself as God, through whom the one true God is proclaimed.

A legal expert inquired of the Lord, ‘Which commandment holds the utmost importance?’ The Lord replied, ‘You must 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 primary commandment. The second resembles it: love your neighbor as yourself. There are no commandments greater than these.’ This encapsulates the essence of humanity’s deepest nature (1 Pet. 3:4). The holiness of the Lord embodies his Spirit, and love represents his soul, while all other virtues serve as various parts of his hand, foot, eye, ear, or tongue. It is essential to remember this, as there are times when people, viewing good deeds as the ultimate virtues, rely solely on them without giving thought to the Lord, thus neglecting love.

After the Lord had resisted these temptations, some well-intentioned individuals supported Him. One of these, while not recognizing Him as the Messiah but acknowledging Him as a proclaimer of truth, posed a question not merely to seek knowledge but to express his agreement regarding a significant moral issue. “Teacher,” he inquired, “what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied, “It is summed up in two essential commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. The first commandment is the foremost, and the second is akin to it.” The scribe affirmed this and added that love surpasses all offerings. It was clear that this scribe grasped the essence of genuine piety.

The distinction between the accounts of Matthew and Mark lies in the portrayal of the lawyer who questioned Christ. In Matthew's narrative, this lawyer serves as a tool of the Pharisees, aiming to entrap the Lord in His words, whereas in Mark's account, the lawyer approaches Christ after recognizing His insightful response to the Sadducees regarding the resurrection. Upon answering Christ, he is acknowledged by Him as being close to the kingdom of God.

In response, Jesus referenced the law as outlined in the writings of Moses. Highlighting the two fundamental commandments of loving God and one’s neighbor, He affirmed, ‘There is no greater commandment than these (Mark 12:31); on these two commandments the whole law and the prophets are founded (Matthew 22:40).’ One who loves God fully with all their heart and soul will consistently seek to act in accordance with His will, diligently observing all His commandments, as love inspires one to please and fulfill the intentions of the beloved. Thus, the primary obligation of humanity is to love God.

Observing the earnestness of the lawyer, Christ provided profound guidance, declaring that the foremost commandment is to love God, with the second being akin to it: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." The entirety of the law and the prophets rests upon these two commandments. The lawyer readily accepted this interpretation, to which the Saviour noted, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." His only deficiency was a lack of faith in Christ as the Messiah.

Listen, O Israel. The message that Moses conveyed to the Israelites, emphasizing the supreme commandment of the law and capturing their focus, is reiterated by the Lord for the same intention. This foremost commandment, which calls for the love of God, is intimately linked to the fundamental truth of the oneness of the Divine. It is only the one true God who is worthy of genuine love.