Mark 12:28-34

Mark 12:28-34
A Women’s Lectionary – Proper 16

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28 OneI of the scribesII came nearIII

Notes on verse 28a

I “one” = heis. This is one, a person, only, some.
II “scribes” = grammateus. From gramma (what is drawn or written so a letter of the alphabet, correspondence, literature, learning); from grapho (to write). This is a writer, scribe, or secretary. Within Judaism, it was someone learned in the Law, a teacher. Also used in the Bible of the town-clerk of Ephesus. See Sirach 38:24-39:11 for a lengthier, positive passage about who scribes were and what they meant in society.
III “came near” = proserchomai. From pros (for, at, towards) + erchomai (to come, go). This is to approach, draw near, come up to. It is also used figuratively to mean worship.

and heardIV them disputing with one another,V and seeingVI

Notes on verse 28b

IV “heard” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.
V “disputing with one another” = suzeteo. 10x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + zeteo (to seek, search for, desire. searching for something by inquiring or investigation; to seek in a literal or figurative sense; to worship God). This is to seek together so a joint investigation, to argue, discuss, or debate.
VI “seeing” = horao. To see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience. Properly, to stare at and so implying clear discernment. This, by extension, would indicate attending to what was seen and learned. This is to see, often with a metaphorical sense. Can include inward spiritual seeing.

that he answeredVII them wellVIII he askedIX him,

Notes on verse 28c

VII “answered” = apokrinomai. From apo (from, away from) + krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging). This is to reply or respond, to draw one’s own conclusions, to speak when one is expected to.
VIII “well” = kalos. From kalos (good, noble, beautiful, correct, or worthy; external signs of goodness like beauty, demonstrations of honorable character, showing moral virtues; a different word, agathos, speaks of intrinsic good). This is nobly, rightly, well-perceived, seen as appealing, morally pleasing, honorably.
IX “asked” = eperotao. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + erotao (asking a question or making an earnest request; used when one anticipates special consideration for their request); {from eromai (to ask) OR from ereo (to say, tell, call, speak of)}. This is to question, interrogate, seek, or demand. The questioner is at an advantage – in a preferred position when they make their question.

“Which commandmentX isXI the firstXII of all?”XIII 

Notes on verse 28d

X“commandment” = entole. From entellomai (to charge, command, give orders or instructions) {from en (in, on, at, by, with) + tellomai (to accomplish); {from telos (an end, aim, purpose, completion, end goal, consummation, tax; going through the steps to complete a stage or phase and then moving on to the next one)}}. This is an order, command, ordinance, or law. It focuses on the purpose of the command and its end result.
XI “is” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
XII “first” = protos. From pro (before, first, in front of, earlier). This is what is first, which could be the most important, the first in order, the main one, the chief.
XIII “all” = pas. This is all or every.

29 JesusXIV answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel:XV the LordXVI our God,XVII the Lord is one; 

Notes on verse 29

XIV “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
XV “Israel” = Israel. From Hebrew Yisrael (God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring); {from sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + El (God or god)}. This is Israel the people and the land.
XVI “Lord” = Kurios. From kuros (authority, supremacy). This is a respectful address meaning master or sir. It refers to one who has control or power greater than one’s own. So, it was also applied to God and Jesus as Master or Lord.
XVII “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.

30 you shall loveXVIII the Lord your God with allXIX your heartXX and with allXXI your soulXXII

Notes on verse 30a

XVIII “love” = agapao. Perhaps from agan (much). This is love, longing for, taking pleasure in. It is divine love or human love that echoes divine love.
XIX “all” = holos. This is whole, complete, or entire. It is a state where every member is present and functioning in concert. This is the root of the word “whole.”
XX “heart” = kardia. This is whole, complete, or entire. It is a state where every member is present and functioning in concert. This is the root of the word “whole.”
XXI “all” = holos. Same as “all” in v30. See note XIX above.
XXII “soul” = psuche. From psucho (to breathe, blow). This is breath, the breath of life, the self, individual, soul. This is the word for that which makes a person unique – their identity, will, personality, affections. This isn’t the soul as the immortal part of us, but as our individuality. It is also not life as a general concept, but specific to people. This is where the words psyche and psychology come from.

and with allXXIII your mindXXIV and with allXXV your strength.’XXVI 

Notes on verse 30b

XXIII “all” = holos. Same as “all” in v30. See note XIX above.
XXIV “mind” = dianoia. 12x in NT. From dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + noieo (to perceive, think, understand); {from nous (mind, understanding, reasoning faculty, intellect, capacity to reflect)}. This is thought, intellect, or insight. It is thorough, critical thinking to reason through issues to reach a conclusion that is both logically sound and personal.
XXV “all” = holos. Same as “all” in v30. See note XIX above.
XXVI “strength” = ischus. 10x in NT. Perhaps from is (force) + echo (to have, hold, possess). This is strength, might, power, force, or ability. It is power that engages immediate resistance.

31 The secondXXVII is this, ‘You shall love your neighborXXVIII as yourself.’ There is no otherXXIX commandment greaterXXX than these.” 

Notes on verse 31

XXVII “second” = deuteros. From duo (two, both). This is second, twice, again. It is part of where “Deuteronomy” comes from, which means “second law” or “a repetition of the law.” See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Deuteronomy
XXVIII “neighbor” = plesion. 17x in NT. From pelas (near). This is near, nearby, or neighboring. As one nearby, it can also refer to a neighbor, a member of one’s country, a Christian, or a friend.
XXIX “other” = allos. This is other, another. Specifically, it is another of a similar kind or type. There is a different word in Greek that speaks of another as a different kind (heteros).
XXX “greater” = megas. This is big in a literal or figurative sense – great, large, exceeding, abundant, high, mighty, perfect, strong, etc.

32 Then the scribe saidXXXI to him, “You are right,XXXII Teacher;XXXIII you have trulyXXXIV said that ‘he is one, and besidesXXXV him there is no other’; 

Notes on verse 32

XXXI “said” = eiron. This is to speak say, answer, command.
XXXII “right” = kalos. Same as “well” in v28. See note VIII above.
XXXIII “Teacher” = didaskalos. From didasko (to teach, direct, instruct, or impart knowledge; in the New Testament, almost always used for teaching scripture); from dao (to learn). This is teacher or master.
XXXIV “truly” = aletheia. From alethes (true, unconcealed; true because it is in concert with fact and reality – attested; literally, what cannot be hidden; truth stands up to test and scrutiny and is undeniable, authentic). {from a (not, without) + lanthano (unnoticed, concealed)}. Truth is literally that which is not or cannot be concealed. This word covers more than the sense of true versus false. It spoke of truth as that which corresponds to reality – reality as opposed to illusion. Thus, it includes, sincerity, straightforwardness, and reality itself.
XXXV “besides” = plen. From pleion (many, more, great, having a greater value, more excellent); from polus (much, many, abundant). This is yet, nevertheless.

33 and ‘to love him with allXXXVI the heart and with allXXXVII the understandingXXXVIII and with allXXXIX the strength’

Notes on verse 33a

XXXVI “all” = holos. Same as “all” in v30. See note XIX above.
XXXVII “all” = holos. Same as “all” in v30. See note XIX above.
XXXVIII “understanding” = sunesis. 7x in NT. From suneimi (to put together – used figuratively to mean understand, consider, gain insight; this is bringing together facts or notions and synthesizing them into a whole; making a summary to arrive at a final conclusion that includes how to apply the insight to life; it can also imply acting piously or being wise); from sun (with, together with) + hiemi (to send, put). This is understanding, cleverness, intelligence, knowledge, or insight. Just as the root verb, it is synthesized reasoning that brings facts together to understand indirect truths from the facts at hand.
XXXIX “all” = holos. Same as “all” in v30. See note XIX above.

and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more importantXL than allXLI whole burnt offeringsXLII and sacrifices.”XLIII 

Notes on verse 33b

XL “more important” = perissos. From peri (all-around, encompassing, excess). This is abundant, more, excessive, advantage, vehemently.
XLI “all” = pas. Same as “all” in v28. See note XIII above.
XLII “whole burnt offerings” = holokautoma. Related to “all” in v30. 3x in NT. From holos (see note XIX above) + kaio (to burn, light, kindle). This is a burnt offering – something that is burned entirely as part of a sacrifice.
XLIII “sacrifices” = thusia. From thuo (to breathe violently, seethe, rage; properly, to rush as breathing heavy; so smoke as in offering an animal sacrifice by fire; by extension, killing or slaying in general). This is a sacrifice or offering. It can refer to the act of sacrifice or the thig being sacrificed. Also, this is sacrifice in a literal or figurative sense.

34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely,XLIV he said to him, “You are not farXLV from the kingdomXLVI of God.” After that no one daredXLVII to ask him any question.XLVIII

Notes on verse 34

XLIV “wisely” = nounechos. Related to “mind” in v30 & to “strength” in v30. 1x in NT. From nous (see note XXIV above) + echo (see note XXVI above). This is literally having a mind. So, it could be sensibly, prudently, or intelligently.
XLV “far” = makran. 9x in NT. From makros (long, long lasting); from mekos (length); probably related to megas (great or large). This is far off, remote, far away in a literal or figurative sense.
XLVI “kingdom” = basileia. From basileus (king, emperor, sovereign); probably from basis (step, hence foot; a pace); from baino (to walk, to go). This is kingdom, rule, authority, sovereignty, royalty, a realm.
XLVII “dared” = tolmao. Related to “commandment” in v28. 16x in NT. From tolma (boldness); perhaps from telos (see note X above). This is to show courage to take a risk, to venture decisively, to put it on the line for something that matters.
XLVIII “ask…question” = eperotao. Same as “asked” in v28. See note IX above.


Image credit: “Jesus.” Photo by Jeroen Mul, 2010.

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