#bible #Biblestudy #public #mark #mark12 #greatestcommandment # Mark 12📖 > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]] [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts]] [[#🔗 Related Passages]] [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] --- ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) ### The Parable of the Tenants Then he began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey.  2 At harvest time he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his portion of the crop.  3 But those tenants seized his slave, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.  4 So he sent another slave to them again. This one they struck on the head and treated outrageously.  5 He sent another, and that one they killed. This happened to many others, some of whom were beaten, others killed.  6 He had one left, his one dear son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’  7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and the inheritance will be ours!’  8 So they seized him, killed him, and threw his body out of the vineyard.  9 What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.  10 Have you not read this scripture: > ‘**_The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone_.** > 11 **_This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes_**’?” 12 Now they wanted to arrest him (but they feared the crowd), because they realized that he told this parable against them. So they left him and went away. ### Paying Taxes to Caesar 13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him with his own words.  14 When they came they said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone’s favor, because you show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”  15 But he saw through their hypocrisy and said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”  16 So they brought one, and he said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.”  17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. ### Marriage and the Resurrection 18 Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) also came to him and asked him,  19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us: > ‘_**If a man**’**s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, that man**_ **_must marry_** **_the widow and father children_** **_for his brother_**.’  20 There were seven brothers. The first one married, and when he died he had no children.  21 The second married her and died without any children, and likewise the third.  22 None of the seven had children. Finally, the woman died too.  23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For all seven had married her.”  24 Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you deceived for this reason, because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God?  25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.  26 Now as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, > ‘**_I am the God of Abraham, the_** **_God_ _of Isaac, and the God of Jacob_**’?  27 He is not the God of the dead but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” ### The Greatest Commandment 28 Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”  29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: > ‘**_Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one_**. > 30 **_Love_** **_the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength_**.’  31 The second is: > ‘**_Love your neighbor as yourself_**.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  32 The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that **_he is one, and there is no one else besides him_**.  33 And **_to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength_** and **_to love your neighbor as yourself_** is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  34 When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Then no one dared any longer to question him. ### The Messiah: David’s Son and Lord 35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he said, “How is it that the experts in the law say that the Christ is David’s son? 36 David himself, by the Holy Spirit, said, > ‘**_The Lord said to my lord,_** > “**_Sit at my right hand,_** > **_until I put your enemies under your feet_**.”’ 37 If David himself calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight. ### Warnings About Experts in the Law 38 In his teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces,  39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  40 They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment.” ### The Widow’s Offering 41 Then he sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts.  42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny.  43 He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others.  44 For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.” --- ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary **Verse 28-34**. [[#The Greatest Commandment]] They OT has over 613 positive and negative commands. It was an often debated topic as to which ones were most important and was there a way to obey them all by keeping. Jesus would have been asked this as a way to test His wisdom, see who He agreed with, and more. Jesus confounds the audience by not saying something new and radical, but by doubling down on the ten commandments. - It had been long thought that the 10 commandments could be divided into two categories. - 1-4: How to Love God. - 5-10: How to Love People. - We need more rules on loving people cause they are more difficult to love. **Verse 29**. - Jesus says, (NLT) heart, soul, mind, and strength. In the ancient Hebrew, heart and mind was a compound word that meant the same things. - He is quoting the [Shema](https://bibleproject.com/articles/what-is-the-shema/). Shema is Hebrew for the word "Hear." This would mean "Hear" with an implied "Hear...and obey." It is the first word of a pronouncement in [[Deuteronomy 6]] --- ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights --- ## 🧠 Chapter Summary Write a short paragraph (3–5 sentences) summarizing what happens in this chapter. - What is the main event or teaching? - How does this chapter fit the book’s overall story? - What stands out immediately? Anything Apologetic to point out? --- ## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application - 📌 Observation 1 - 📌 Observation 2 - 📌 Observation 3 - (Add more as needed.) #### Today, I can apply this chapter by: - ✅ Application 1 - ✅ Application 2 Make these very practical: - "Trust God's timing in an uncertain situation." - "Speak truth even when it’s unpopular." Think: - What do we learn about God here? - What do we learn about people? - Are there promises, commands, or warnings? --- ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 [Verse Reference] – "Quote of important verse." - 📖 [Verse Reference] – "Quote of another important verse." (You can link to deeper notes if you want later.) --- ## 🔗 Related Passages - 🔗 [Other Scripture that connects to this chapter] - 🔗 [Cross-references or thematic ties] Examples: - John 1:1 and Genesis 1 - Romans 5 and Genesis 3 --- ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection Write 3–6 sentences reflecting on: - How this chapter encourages your faith, - Convicts your heart, - Reveals God's character. Optional format: "In light of this chapter, I am challenged to..." or "I am comforted by..." --- ##### 📂 Internal Links [[Series_TheWay_Part1-We_Love_God]]