Highlights:
Jesus skillfully deals with the Herodians (Mark 12:13-17), Sadducees (12:18-27), and Pharisees (12:28-44). We are to watch and pray (13:33).
Jesus was questioned by a scribe, who asked: Which is the first (foremost) Commandment of all? (Mark 12:28). Jesus answered him by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The first of all the Commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength (12:29-30). Jesus then quoted Leviticus 19:18, saying: And the second is like (it), namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other Commandment greater than these (12:31).
The Hebrew word Elohenu is translated in English as our God. However, God chose to use the plural form, Elohim, meaning Gods, 2500 times in reference to Himself as the Self-Existent, One True God. This, then, is what the sacred proclamation to Israel literally says: Hear, O Israel; The Lord our Gods is One Lord. Furthermore, the Hebrew word for One used here is also a solemn declaration that the Lord is a plurality in unity. One ('echad) is a word which expresses one in the collective sense. It signifies a compound unity — not an absolute unity. For example, God said: Man . . . and . . . wife . . . shall be one flesh (Gen. 2:24). Even with numerous children, they are still called one family. The one Tabernacle (Ex. 36:13) included many individual parts. However, there is a Hebrew word for one in the sense of an absolute one. It is the word yacheed but this word is never used to express the Godhead, although it is used many other times in Scripture.
This truth of the plurality of oneness in the Godhead exposes the foolishness and ignorance of those who have not yet recognized Jesus as the One True God, the Creator of all things. The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to write of Jesus: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth (Col. 1:16). Those who reject Jesus as God and the Holy Spirit as the One who will guide you into all truth (John 16:13) are, in fact, rejecting the revelation of God Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus left no doubt as to who He was when He said: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; also 5:18; 12:45; 14:9-11,20).
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me (John 5:39).
Thought for Today:
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death (Prov. 14:32).
Word Studies:
12:1 let it out rented it; 12:17 Render to Caesar pay Caesar what belongs to him; 12:34 durst ask cared question; 12:42 two mites 1 farthing (a penny).
Cross References:
For Mark 12:1: See Is. 5:2. Mark 12:10-11: See Ps. 118:22-23. Mark 12:19: See Deut. 25:5. Mark 12:26: See Ex. 3:3-6. Mark 12:29: See Deut. 6:4. Mark 12:30: See Deut. 6:5. Mark 12:31: See Lev. 19:18. Mark 12:32: See Deut. 4:35. Mark 12:33: See Deut. 6:5; Hos. 6:6. Mark 12:36: See Ps. 110:1. Mark 13:14: See Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Mark 13:24: See Is. 13:10. Mark 13:26: See Dan. 7:13. Mark 13:27: See Deut. 30:4; Zech. 2:6.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Casmir A. Zuranski • Country: Ecuador (13 million) in South America, crossed by the equator • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Call upon the Lord amidst trouble and He will deliver you (Ps. 91:15).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:34