Mark 12:28-44 : Easy-to-Read Version  | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

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Which Command Is Most Important?

28One of the teachers of the law came to Jesus. He heard Jesus arguing with the Sadducees* and the Pharisees.* He saw that Jesus gave good answers to their questions. So he asked Jesus, "Which of the commands is most important?" 29Jesus answered, "The most important command is this: 'People of Israel, listen! The Lord our God is the only Lord. 30You must love the Lord your God. You must love him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'* 31The second most important command is this: 'You must love other people the same as you love yourself.'* These two commands are the most important." 32The man answered, "That was a good answer, Teacher. You were right when you said these things. God is the only Lord, and there is no other God. 33And a person must love God with all his heart, all his mind, and all his strength. And a person must love other people the same as he loves himself. These commands are more important than all the animals and sacrifices we offer to God." 34Jesus saw that the man answered him wisely. So Jesus said to the man, "You are close to the kingdom of God." And after that time, no person was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions.

Is the Christ David's Son or David's Lord?

35Jesus was teaching in the temple* area. Jesus asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Christ* is the son of David*? 36With the help of the Holy Spirit,* David himself says: 'The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Christ): Sit by me at my right side, and I will put your enemies under your control.*' Psalm 110:1

37David himself calls the Christ 'Lord.' So how can the Christ be David's son?" Many people listened to Jesus and were very pleased.

Jesus Criticizes the Teachers of the Law

38Jesus continued teaching. Jesus said, "Be careful of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around wearing clothes that look important. And they love for people to show respect to them in the market places. 39They love to get the most important seats in the synagogues.* And they love to get the most important seats at the feasts. 40They are mean to widows* and steal their homes. Then they try to make themselves look good by saying long prayers. God will punish them very much."

A Widow Shows the Meaning of Giving

41Jesus sat near the temple money box* where people put their gifts. He watched the people put money in the box. Many rich people gave much money. 42Then a poor widow* came and gave two very small copper coins. These coins were not even worth a penny. 43Jesus called his followers to him. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. This poor widow gave only two small coins. But she really gave more than all the rich people. 44Those people have plenty; they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor. But she gave all she had. And she needed that money to help her live."

Sadducees A leading Jewish religious group. They accepted only the first five books of the Old Testament. They believed that people don't live again after death. Pharisees The Pharisees were a Jewish religious group that claimed to follow carefully all Jewish laws and customs. 'People ... strength' Quote from Deut. 6:4-5. 'You must ... yourself' Quote from Lev. 19:18. temple The special building in Jerusalem for Jewish worship. Christ The "anointed one" (Messiah) or chosen one of God. David King of Israel about 1000 years before Christ. Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. control Literally, "feet." synagogue(s) Synagogues were places where Jews gathered for prayer, study of the Scriptures, and other public meetings. widow(s) A widow is a woman whose husband has died. money box A special box in the Jewish place for worship where people put their gifts to God. 

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