Mark 12 31

Mark 12:31 kjv

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:31 nkjv

And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Mark 12:31 niv

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Mark 12:31 esv

The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Mark 12:31 nlt

The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 31 Meaning

Mark 12:31 states the second great commandment, following the commandment to love God. It commands believers to "love your neighbor as yourself," asserting that there is no other commandment greater than these two combined. This commandment encapsulates humanity's duty towards others, reflecting an essential aspect of true godliness and forming the ethical core of the Mosaic Law as interpreted and fulfilled by Christ. It emphasizes impartial, self-sacrificial love extended to all people, mirroring the inherent self-care each person possesses.

Mark 12 31 Context

Mark 12:31 is part of a series of confrontations between Jesus and religious authorities in Jerusalem during the final week before His crucifixion. Following Jesus' encounters with the Pharisees and Herodians (concerning paying taxes to Caesar) and the Sadducees (on the resurrection), a "scribe" approaches Him. Unlike previous challengers who sought to trap Jesus, this scribe appears to genuinely seek understanding about the "most important commandment." Jesus responds by quoting the Shema from Deut 6:4-5 (loving God entirely) and then immediately couples it with the command from Lev 19:18 (loving one's neighbor). This synthesis was a profound interpretive act, summarizing the essence of the Law and Prophets. The scribe then affirms Jesus' answer, acknowledging its profound spiritual value over ritual sacrifice, leading to Jesus' affirmation of the scribe being "not far from the kingdom of God."

Mark 12 31 Word analysis

• And: (Greek: kai) – Connects this commandment directly to the preceding one, establishing it as the essential complement or parallel. It emphasizes the inseparable nature of loving God and loving one's neighbor.
• a second: (Greek: δευτέρα, deutera) – Designates its order and importance. While second in sequence, it is "like" the first, signifying a near-equal foundational status, not subordination. This highlights its intrinsic connection and derivative nature from the first.
• is this: (Greek: αὕτη, haute) – Points directly to the following statement as the substance of the second great commandment.
• You shall love: (Greek: Ἀγαπήσεις, Agapēseis) – A future active indicative verb, expressing a divine command. It denotes agapē love—a selfless, volitional, and benevolent love, originating from a conscious choice rather than mere emotion or natural affection (philia, eros). This type of love is fundamentally other-centered, aiming for the well-being of the loved one.
• your neighbor: (Greek: τὸν πλησίον σου, ton plēsion sou) – Refers to anyone close to you or any human being with whom one interacts. Its scope is universal, as exemplified by Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37), which expands the traditional Jewish understanding to include strangers, foreigners, and even enemies. This transcends familial, ethnic, or religious boundaries.
• as yourself: (Greek: ὡς σεαυτόν, hōs seauton) – This phrase sets the standard or measure for neighborly love. It implies a healthy and proper self-care as the benchmark for how one should treat others. It is not an injunction to self-love in a narcissistic sense, but rather recognizes that care for one's own body and interests is an intuitive human impulse that should be extended outwardly. This assumes a proper self-respect and basic understanding of one's own needs and desires, which are then empathetically applied to others.
• There is no other commandment: (Greek: οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλη ἐντολὴ, ouk estin allē entolē) – A declarative statement by Jesus emphasizing the supremacy and ultimacy of these two commands (loving God and loving neighbor).
• greater than these: (Greek: μείζων τούτων, meizōn toutōn) – Confirms their foundational and all-encompassing nature. All other laws, moral imperatives, and religious practices derive their meaning and validity from these two, serving as applications or manifestations of this supreme love. This signifies that obedience to rituals or legal specifics without these loves is incomplete or meaningless.

Mark 12 31 Bonus section

The concept of "neighbor" in Jewish tradition was initially understood primarily as a fellow Israelite (as per Lev 19:18 itself, "nor bear any grudge against the children of your people"). However, later rabbinic discussions did broaden it to include proselytes or residents within Israel. Jesus, however, radicalized this concept, extending it beyond ethnic or religious boundaries to include all people, even one's enemies, as demonstrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and the teaching to "love your enemies" (Matt 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-35). This comprehensive and inclusive understanding of "neighbor" is a distinct feature of Christ's teaching, setting a much higher, divinely inspired standard for human interaction. The love commanded here is not a fleeting emotion but a fundamental posture of the heart, manifesting in actions and choices that prioritize the well-being of others.

Mark 12 31 Commentary

Mark 12:31 profoundly simplifies and summarizes the entire ethical dimension of the Mosaic Law into a singular, overarching principle: love your neighbor as yourself. This command is presented not in isolation but as the inseparable complement to loving God wholeheartedly. Jesus demonstrates that true worship and piety cannot exist without genuine, active love for humanity. The standard "as yourself" highlights an innate human capacity for self-preservation and welfare, which is to be empathetically and generously extended to all others, irrespective of their background or perceived worth. This form of love (agape) is volitional and selfless, a radical counter-cultural ethic that elevates the welfare of others above self-interest, serving as the blueprint for Christian conduct and the true measure of spiritual maturity. It encompasses empathy, kindness, forgiveness, justice, and self-sacrifice, providing the bedrock for community, ethics, and Christian witness in the world.