And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This scribe wasn't just looking for a trivia answer; he was genuinely impressed by Jesus' wisdom. His question, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" came from a place of sincere, though perhaps initially conflicted, admiration after witnessing Jesus' skillful responses.
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus has skillfully answered attempts by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him, a scribe approaches, having overheard the previous exchanges. Impressed by Jesus' wisdom and the inadequacy of the others' questions, this scribe poses his own, seeking to identify the most important commandment from the Law.
It’s easy to get caught up in debates and arguments, especially when challenging ideas are being discussed. But sometimes, amidst the heat of the moment, a genuine question can emerge.
This moment in Mark's Gospel isn't just about a scribe asking a question. It's about the context: Jesus had just skillfully navigated questions from both the Sadducees and the Pharisees. As they were 'reasoning together'—likely a tense exchange—one scribe, observing Jesus' 'excellent' answers, stepped in.
What if the entire vastness of God's commands could be summarized in just two simple, yet profound, principles?
Jesus’ answer cuts to the absolute core of what God desires from His people. He doesn't just give one commandment; He reveals the two that encompass all others.
The First and Great Commandment:
Ask a follow-up
The Second, Like It:
Sometimes, a single, thoughtful response can reveal more about a person's heart than a thousand arguments.
Jesus didn't just answer the scribe's question; He saw something deeper in the scribe's reaction.
Understand the original words
grammateus · Greek Noun
Religious experts and interpreters of the Mosaic Law in ancient Israel. They were responsible for copying, teaching, and enforcing the Scriptures, often wielding significant authority in legal and theological matters.
entolē · Greek Noun
A divine directive or mandate given by God for human conduct. They represent the moral will of God, intended to guide His people in holiness and love for Him and their neighbor.
This passage contains the Shema, the foundational declaration of God's unity and the command to love Him wholeheartedly, which Jesus quotes as the first and greatest commandment.
Leviticus 19:18This verse lays out the command to love your neighbor as yourself, which Jesus identifies as the second greatest commandment, directly paralleling the first in importance.
Matthew 22:34-40This parallel account in Matthew provides a similar narrative of a scribe testing Jesus with the same question about the greatest commandment, showing Jesus' consistent answer and the theological weight of these commands.
Luke 10:25-28This passage features a lawyer asking Jesus how to inherit eternal life, leading Jesus to direct him to the Law, which the lawyer correctly summarizes with the two great commandments of love for God and neighbor.
Romans 13:8-10Paul echoes Jesus' teaching by explaining that love fulfills the law, highlighting that all other commands are summed up in loving God and loving one's neighbor, reinforcing the centrality of these two commands.
barnesMark 12:28: "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?"
See the notes at Matthew 22:34-40 . Mark 12:28 Perceiving that he answered them well - That is, with wisdom, and with a proper understanding of the law. In this case the opinion of the Saviour corresponded with that of the Pharisees; and the question which this scribe put to him now seems to have been one of the ver…
expositorsMark 12:28-34: "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?"
CHAPTER 12:28-34 (Mark 12:28-34)THE DISCERNING SCRIBE "And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that He had answered them well, asked Him, What commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love…
This scribe wasn't just looking for a trivia answer; he was genuinely impressed by Jesus' wisdom. His question, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" came from a place of sincere, though perhaps initially conflicted, admiration after witnessing Jesus' skillful responses.
After Jesus has skillfully answered attempts by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him, a scribe approaches, having overheard the previous exchanges. Impressed by Jesus' wisdom and the inadequacy of the others' questions, this scribe poses his own, seeking to identify the most important commandment from the Law.
After Jesus has skillfully answered attempts by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him, a scribe approaches, having overheard the previous exchanges. Impressed by Jesus' wisdom and the inadequacy of the others' questions, this scribe poses his own, seeking to identify the most important commandment from the Law.
"And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”" — This scribe wasn't just looking for a trivia answer; he was genuinely impressed by Jesus' wisdom. His question, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" came from a place of sincere, though…
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Last reviewed October 2026