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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 12:29 Jesus replied, "This is the most important: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/12-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/41_Mrk_12_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 12:29 - The Greatest Commandment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus replied, This is the most important: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/mark/12-29.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/mark/12-29.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/mark/">Mark</a> > <a href="/mark/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 29</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/mark/12-28.htm" title="Mark 12:28">◄</a> Mark 12:29 <a href="/mark/12-30.htm" title="Mark 12:30">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/mark/12.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220The most important one,&#8221 answered Jesus, &#8220is this: &#8216Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. <a href="/nlt/mark/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord . <a href="/esv/mark/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. <a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. <a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear this O Israel: The Lord our God is One Lord, <a href="/kjv/mark/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: <a href="/nkjv/mark/12.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. <a href="/nasb_/mark/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, ISRAEL! THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE; <a href="/nasb/mark/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> Jesus answered, &#8220The foremost is, &#8216HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; <a href="/nasb77/mark/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; <a href="/lsb/mark/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; <a href="/amp/mark/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; <a href="/csb/mark/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. <a href="/hcsb/mark/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220This is the most important,&#8221 Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. <a href="/asv/mark/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: <a href="/cev/mark/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "The most important one says: 'People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. <a href="/erv/mark/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: <a href="/gwt/mark/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. <a href="/gnt/mark/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus replied, "The most important one is this: 'Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. <a href="/isv/mark/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, <a href="/msb/mark/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus replied, ?This is the most important of all the commandments: ?Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. <a href="/net/mark/12.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus answered, "The most important is: 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. <a href="/nheb/mark/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. <a href="/wbt/mark/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord. <a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "The chief Commandment," replied Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; <a href="/web/mark/12.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/mark/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commands—Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD is one; <a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear this O Israel: The Lord our God is One Lord, <a href="/ylt/mark/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Jesus answered him -- 'The first of all the commands is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one; <a href="/slt/mark/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus answered him, That the first of all the commands, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/mark/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God. <a href="/cpdv/mark/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Jesus answered him: “For the first commandment of all is this: ‘Listen, O Israel. The Lord your God is one God. <a href="/nabre/mark/12.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! <a href="/nrsvce/mark/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/mark/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus said to him, The first of all commandments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua said to him, “The first of all the commandments: 'Hear Israel, THE LORD JEHOVAH your God, THE LORD JEHOVAH, he is One.' “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/mark/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. <a href="/godbey/mark/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And Jesus responded to him, <FR>The first commandment of all; Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, is one Lord:<Fr> <a href="/haweis/mark/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then Jesus replied to him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; the Lord thy God is one Lord: <a href="/mace/mark/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus answer'd him, the first of all the commandments is thus deliver'd, "hear, o Israel, the lord our God is the only lord. <a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "The chief Commandment," replied Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; <a href="/worrell/mark/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus answered, <FR>"The first is, 'Hear, O Israel; the Lord is our God, the Lord is One;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/mark/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And Jesus answered him, <FR>The first of all the commandments <Fr>is,<FR> "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is <Fr>the<FR> one Lord,<Fr> <a href="/parallel/mark/12-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=4131" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">The Greatest Commandment</a> 28Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apekrithē (V-AIP-3S) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">replied,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">“This is</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: Hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: Prōtē (Adj-NFS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">most important:</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: Akoue (V-PMA-2S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">‘Hear</a> <a href="/greek/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-VMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">O Israel,</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">the Lord</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">the Lord</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">One.</a> 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a> Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-38</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. <a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Luke 10:27</a> He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” <a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a> Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. <a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a> So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. <a href="/ephesians/4-4.htm">Ephesians 4:4-6</a> There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; / one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. <a href="/james/2-19.htm">James 2:19</a> You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. <a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">Isaiah 45:5-6</a> I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me, / so that all may know, from where the sun rises to where it sets, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Romans 3:30</a> since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. <a href="/galatians/3-20.htm">Galatians 3:20</a> A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. <a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a> For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, <a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a> You shall have no other gods before Me. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-35.htm">Deuteronomy 4:35</a> You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-39.htm">Deuteronomy 32:39</a> See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand. <a href="/2_kings/19-15.htm">2 Kings 19:15</a> And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:Hear.<a href="/mark/12-32.htm">Mark 12:32,33</a> And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: … <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a> Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:<a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12</a> And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/mark/9-7.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">First</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Foremost</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/mark/9-7.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Important</a> <a href="/matthew/27-42.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/12-39.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/mark/12-30.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/luke/1-6.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/mark/12-37.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/mark/12-30.htm">First</a> <a href="/acts/16-12.htm">Foremost</a> <a href="/luke/9-46.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/mark/13-7.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Important</a> <a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/mark/12-34.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 12</div>1. <a href="/mark/12-1.htm">Jesus tells the parable of the tenants</a> 13. <a href="/mark/12-13.htm">He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;</a> 18. <a href="/mark/12-18.htm">convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;</a> 28. <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;</a> 35. <a href="/mark/12-35.htm">refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;</a> 38. <a href="/mark/12-38.htm">bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;</a> 41. <a href="/mark/12-41.htm">and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Jesus replied In this passage, Jesus is responding to a question posed by a scribe about the greatest commandment. This interaction occurs during the final week of Jesus' life, a time when He is frequently challenged by religious leaders. His response demonstrates His deep understanding of the Law and His authority as a teacher.This is the most important Jesus emphasizes the significance of what He is about to say, indicating that it is foundational to the faith. This statement underscores the priority of the commandment He is about to quote, which is central to Jewish and Christian belief systems.Hear, O Israel This phrase is a direct quotation from <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, known as the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism. It is recited daily by devout Jews and serves as a call to attention, emphasizing the importance of the message. The Shema is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.The Lord our God This acknowledges the personal relationship between God and His people. The use of "our" signifies a communal faith and identity among the Israelites. It reflects the covenantal language found throughout the Old Testament, where God is often referred to as the God of Israel.The Lord is One This statement affirms the monotheistic belief central to both Judaism and Christianity. It emphasizes the uniqueness and singularity of God, distinguishing the faith from polytheistic religions of the time. The oneness of God is a foundational doctrine that underscores His sovereignty and unity. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Isaiah 44:6</a>, which declares there is no other God besides Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in the New Testament, Jesus is the one speaking in this verse. He is responding to a question about the greatest commandment. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation to whom the Shema, a traditional Jewish prayer, is addressed. This highlights the continuity of Jesus' teaching with Jewish tradition. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_scribe.htm">The Scribe</a> The person who asked Jesus which commandment is the most important, prompting this response. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_shema.htm">The Shema</a> A traditional Jewish declaration of faith from <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, which Jesus quotes here. It is a central tenet of Jewish belief. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The location where this conversation takes place, during Jesus' final week before His crucifixion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_primacy_of_monotheism.htm">The Primacy of Monotheism</a> Jesus affirms the foundational Jewish belief in one God, which is central to Christian faith as well. This monotheistic belief shapes our understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The oneness of God calls believers to unity within the body of Christ, reflecting the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_listen.htm">The Call to Listen</a> The command to "Hear, O Israel" is a call to attentiveness and obedience. As believers, we are called to listen to God's Word and respond in faith. <a href="/topical/c/continuity_of_scripture.htm">Continuity of Scripture</a> Jesus’ use of the Shema shows the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, encouraging us to see the Bible as a unified account of God’s redemptive plan. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_the_greatest_commandment.htm">Living Out the Greatest Commandment</a> Understanding God’s oneness should lead us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, as Jesus continues to explain in the following verses.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 12</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_red_letter_christian.htm">What defines a Red Letter Christian?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_greatest_commandment.htm">What is the greatest commandment?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_'woke'.htm">How can one truly love God?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_one_truly_love_god.htm">How can one truly love God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.--The quotation is given more fully by St. Mark than by St. Matthew. The opening words (from <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm" title="Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>) were in common use under the name of the Shema (the Hebrew for "Hear"), and formed the popular expression of the faith of Israel. To say the Shema was a passport into Paradise for any child of Abraham. <a href="/commentaries/mark/12-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. replied, Ἀπεκρίθη (Apekrithē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “This is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the Ὅτι (Hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. most important: Πρώτη (Prōtē) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. ‘Hear Ἄκουε (Akoue) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. O Israel, Ἰσραήλ (Israēl) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants. [the] Lord Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. One εἷς (heis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. Lord, Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/mark/12-29.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 12:29 Jesus answered The greatest is 'Hear Israel (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/12-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 12:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 12:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/12-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 12:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 12:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>