1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's.
8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 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: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 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:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
1 And G2532 he began G756 to speak G3004 unto them G846 by G1722 parables. G3850 A certain man G444 planted G5452 a vineyard, G290 and G2532 set G4060 an hedge about G5418 it, and G2532 digged G3736 a place for the winefat, G5276 and G2532 built G3618 a tower, G4444 and G2532 let G1554 it G846 out G1554 to husbandmen, G1092 and G2532 went into a far country. G589
2 And G2532 at the season G2540 he sent G649 to G4314 the husbandmen G1092 a servant, G1401 that G2443 he might receive G2983 from G3844 the husbandmen G1092 of G575 the fruit G2590 of the vineyard. G290
3 And G1161 they caught G2983 him, and beat G1194 him, G846 and G2532 sent him away G649 empty. G2756
4 And G2532 again G3825 he sent G649 unto G4314 them G846 another G243 servant; G1401 and at him G2548 they cast stones, G3036 and wounded him in the head, G2775 and G2532 sent him away G649 shamefully handled. G821
5 And G2532 again G3825 he sent G649 another; G243 and him G2548 they killed, G615 and G2532 many G4183 others; G243 G3303 beating some, G1194 and G1161 killing some. G615
6 Having G2192 yet G2089 therefore G3767 one G1520 son, G5207 his G846 wellbeloved, G27 he sent G649 him G846 also G2532 last G2078 unto G4314 them, G846 saying, G3004 G3754 They will reverence G1788 my G3450 son. G5207
7 But G1161 those G1565 husbandmen G1092 said G2036 among G4314 themselves, G1438 This G3754 G3778 is G2076 the heir; G2818 come, G1205 let us kill G615 him, G846 and G2532 the inheritance G2817 shall be G2071 ours. G2257
8 And G2532 they took G2983 him, G846 and killed G615 him, and G2532 cast G1544 him out of G1854 the vineyard. G290
9 What G5101 shall G4160 therefore G3767 the lord G2962 of the vineyard G290 do? G4160 he will come G2064 and G2532 destroy G622 the husbandmen, G1092 and G2532 will give G1325 the vineyard G290 unto others. G243
10 And have ye G314 not G3761 read G314 this G5026 scripture; G1124 The stone G3037 which G3739 the builders G3618 rejected G593 is G3778 G1096 become G1519 the head G2776 of the corner: G1137
11 This G3778 was G1096 the Lord's G2962 doing, G1096 G3844 and G2532 it is G2076 marvellous G2298 in G1722 our G2257 eyes? G3788
12 And G2532 they sought G2212 to lay hold G2902 on him, G846 but G2532 feared G5399 the people: G3793 for G1063 they knew G1097 that G3754 he had spoken G2036 the parable G3850 against G4314 them: G846 and G2532 they left G863 him, G846 and went their way. G565
13 And G2532 they send G649 unto G4314 him G846 certain G5100 of the Pharisees G5330 and G2532 of the Herodians, G2265 to G2443 catch G64 him G846 in his words. G3056
14 And G1161 when they were come, G2064 they say G3004 unto him, G846 Master, G1320 we know G1492 that G3754 thou art G1488 true, G227 and G2532 G4671 carest G3756 G3199 for G4012 no man: G3762 for G1063 thou regardest G991 not G3756 the person G1519 G4383 of men, G444 but G235 teachest G1321 the way G3598 of God G2316 in G1909 truth: G225 Is it lawful G1832 to give G1325 tribute G2778 to Caesar, G2541 or G2228 not? G3756
15 Shall we give, G1325 or G2228 shall we not G3361 give? G1325 But G1161 he, knowing G1492 their G846 hypocrisy, G5272 said G2036 unto them, G846 Why G5101 tempt ye G3985 me? G3165 bring G5342 me G3427 a penny, G1220 that G2443 I may see G1492 it.
16 And G1161 they brought G5342 it. And G2532 he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Whose G5101 is this G3778 image G1504 and G2532 superscription? G1923 And G1161 they said G2036 unto him, G846 Caesar's. G2541
17 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said G2036 unto them, G846 Render G591 to Caesar G2541 the things that are G3588 Caesar's, G2541 and G2532 to God G2316 the things that are G3588 God's. G2316 And G2532 they marvelled G2296 at G1909 him. G846
18 Then G2532 come G2064 unto G4314 him G846 the Sadducees, G4523 which G3748 say G3004 there is G1511 no G3361 resurrection; G386 and G2532 they asked G1905 him, G846 saying, G3004
19 Master, G1320 Moses G3475 wrote G1125 unto us, G2254 If G3754 G1437 a man's G5100 brother G80 die, G599 and G2532 leave G2641 his wife G1135 behind him, and G2532 leave G863 no G3361 children, G5043 that G2443 his G846 brother G80 should take G2983 his G846 wife, G1135 and G2532 raise up G1817 seed G4690 unto his G846 brother. G80
20 Now there were G2258 seven G2033 brethren: G80 and G2532 the first G4413 took G2983 a wife, G1135 and G2532 dying G599 left G863 no G3756 seed. G4690
21 And G2532 the second G1208 took G2983 her, G846 and G2532 died, G599 G2532 neither G3761 left G863 he G846 any seed: G4690 and G2532 the third G5154 likewise. G5615
22 And G2532 the seven G2033 had G2983 her, G846 and G2532 left G863 no G3756 seed: G4690 last G2078 of all G3956 the woman G1135 died G599 also. G2532
23 In G1722 the resurrection G386 therefore, G3767 when G3752 they shall rise, G450 whose G5101 wife G1135 shall she be G2071 of them? G846 for G1063 the seven G2033 had G2192 her G846 to wife. G1135
24 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said G2036 unto them, G846 Do ye G4105 not G3756 therefore G1223 G5124 err, G4105 because ye know G1492 not G3361 the scriptures, G1124 neither G3366 the power G1411 of God? G2316
25 For G1063 when G3752 they shall rise G450 from G1537 the dead, G3498 they neither G3777 marry, G1060 nor G3777 are given in marriage; G1061 but G235 are G1526 as G5613 the angels G32 which G3588 are in G1722 heaven. G3772
26 And G1161 as touching G4012 the dead, G3498 that G3754 they rise: G1453 have ye G314 not G3756 read G314 in G1722 the book G976 of Moses, G3475 how G5613 in G1909 the bush G942 God G2316 spake G2036 unto him, G846 saying, G3004 I G1473 am the God G2316 of Abraham, G11 and G2532 the God G2316 of Isaac, G2464 and G2532 the God G2316 of Jacob? G2384
27 He is G2076 not G3756 the God G2316 of the dead, G3498 but G235 the God G2316 of the living: G2198 ye G5210 therefore G3767 do G4105 greatly G4183 err. G4105
28 And G2532 one G1520 of the scribes G1122 came, G4334 and having heard G191 them G846 reasoning together, G4802 and perceiving G1492 that G3754 he had answered G611 them G846 well, G2573 asked G1905 him, G846 Which G4169 is G2076 the first G4413 commandment G1785 of all? G3956
29 And G1161 Jesus G2424 answered G611 him, G846 The G3754 first G4413 of all G3956 the commandments G1785 is, Hear, G191 O Israel; G2474 The Lord G2962 our G2257 God G2316 is G2076 one G1520 Lord: G2962
30 And G2532 thou shalt love G25 the Lord G2962 thy G4675 God G2316 with G1537 all G3650 thy G4675 heart, G2588 and G2532 with G1537 all G3650 thy G4675 soul, G5590 and G2532 with G1537 all G3650 thy G4675 mind, G1271 and G2532 with G1537 all G3650 thy G4675 strength: G2479 this G3778 is the first G4413 commandment. G1785
31 And G2532 the second G1208 is like, G3664 namely this, G3778 G846 Thou shalt love G25 thy G4675 neighbour G4139 as G5613 thyself. G4572 There is G2076 none G3756 other G243 commandment G1785 greater G3187 than these. G5130
32 And G2532 the scribe G1122 said G2036 unto him, G846 Well, G2573 Master, G1320 thou hast said G2036 the G1909 truth: G225 for G3754 there is G2076 one G1520 God; G2316 and G2532 there is G2076 none G3756 other G243 but G4133 he: G846
33 And G2532 to love G25 him G846 with G1537 all G3650 the heart, G2588 and G2532 with G1537 all G3650 the understanding, G4907 and G2532 with G1537 all G3650 the soul, G5590 and G2532 with G1537 all G3650 the strength, G2479 and G2532 to love G25 his neighbour G4139 as G5613 himself, G1438 is G2076 more G4119 than all G3956 whole burnt offerings G3646 and G2532 sacrifices. G2378
34 And G2532 when Jesus G2424 saw G1492 that G3754 he G846 answered G611 discreetly, G3562 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou art G1488 not G3756 far G3112 from G575 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316 And G2532 no man G3762 after that G3765 durst G5111 ask G1905 him G846 any question.
35 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said, G3004 while he taught G1321 in G1722 the temple, G2411 How G4459 say G3004 the scribes G1122 that G3754 Christ G5547 is G2076 the Son G5207 of David? G1138
36 For G1063 David G1138 himself G846 said G2036 by G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 The LORD G2962 said G2036 to my G3450 Lord, G2962 Sit thou G2521 on G1537 my G3450 right hand, G1188 till G2193 G302 I make G5087 thine G4675 enemies G2190 thy G4675 footstool. G5286 G4228
37 David G1138 therefore G3767 himself G846 calleth G3004 him G846 Lord; G2962 and G2532 whence G4159 is he G2076 then his G846 son? G5207 And G2532 the common G4183 people G3793 heard G191 him G846 gladly. G2234
38 And G2532 he said G3004 unto them G846 in G1722 his G846 doctrine, G1322 Beware G991 of G575 the scribes, G1122 which G3588 love G2309 to go G4043 in G1722 long clothing, G4749 and G2532 love salutations G783 in G1722 the marketplaces, G58
39 And G2532 the chief seats G4410 in G1722 the synagogues, G4864 and G2532 the uppermost rooms G4411 at G1722 feasts: G1173
40 Which devour G2719 widows' G5503 houses, G3614 and G2532 for a pretence G4392 make G4336 long G3117 prayers: G4336 these G3778 shall receive G2983 greater G4055 damnation. G2917
41 And G2532 Jesus G2424 sat G2523 over against G2713 the treasury, G1049 and beheld G2334 how G4459 the people G3793 cast G906 money G5475 into G1519 the treasury: G1049 and G2532 many G4183 that were rich G4145 cast in G906 much. G4183
42 And G2532 there came G2064 a certain G3391 poor G4434 widow, G5503 and she threw in G906 two G1417 mites, G3016 which make G3603 a farthing. G2835
43 And G2532 he called G4341 unto him his G846 disciples, G3101 and saith G3004 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 this G3778 poor G4434 widow G5503 hath cast G906 more G4119 in, G906 than all G3956 they which have cast G906 into G1519 the treasury: G1049
44 For G1063 all G3956 they did cast in G906 of G1537 their G846 abundance; G4052 but G1161 she G3778 G846 of G1537 her G846 want G5304 did cast in G906 all G3956 that G3745 she had, G2192 even all G3650 her G846 living. G979
1 And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.
2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.
3 And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and handled shamefully.
5 And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some.
6 He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard.
9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
10 Have ye not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;
11 This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes?
12 And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.
13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk.
14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it.
16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
17 And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they marvelled greatly at him.
18 And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
19 Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20 There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;
21 and the second took her, and died, leaving no seed behind him; and the third likewise:
22 and the seven left no seed. Last of all the woman also died.
23 In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24 Jesus said unto them, Is it not for this cause that ye err, that ye know not the scriptures, nor the power of God?
25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels in heaven.
26 But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in `the place concerning' the Bush, how God spake unto him, saying, I `am' the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: ye do greatly err.
28 And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?
29 Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one:
30 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.
31 The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he:
33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
35 And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David?
36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.
37 David himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
38 And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and `to have' salutations in the marketplaces,
39 and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:
40 they that devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.
41 And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury:
44 for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, `even' all her living.
1 And he began to speak to them in similes: `A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around, and digged an under-winevat, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad;
2 and he sent unto the husbandmen at the due time a servant, that from the husbandmen he may receive from the fruit of the vineyard,
3 and they, having taken him, did severely beat `him', and did send him away empty.
4 `And again he sent unto them another servant, and at that one having cast stones, they wounded `him' in the head, and sent away -- dishonoured.
5 `And again he sent another, and that one they killed; and many others, some beating, and some killing.
6 `Having yet therefore one son -- his beloved -- he sent also him unto them last, saying -- They will reverence my son;
7 and those husbandmen said among themselves -- This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and ours shall be the inheritance;
8 and having taken him, they did kill, and cast `him' forth without the vineyard.
9 `What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.
10 And this Writing did ye not read: A stone that the builders rejected, it did become the head of a corner:
11 from the Lord was this, and it is wonderful in our eyes.'
12 And they were seeking to lay hold on him, and they feared the multitude, for they knew that against them he spake the simile, and having left him, they went away;
13 and they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they may ensnare him in discourse,
14 and they having come, say to him, `Teacher, we have known that thou art true, and thou art not caring for any one, for thou dost not look to the face of men, but in truth the way of God dost teach; is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? may we give, or may we not give?'
15 And he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, `Why me do ye tempt? bring me a denary, that I may see;'
16 and they brought, and he saith to them, `Whose `is' this image, and the inscription?' and they said to him, `Caesar's;'
17 and Jesus answering said to them, `Give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;' and they did wonder at him.
18 And the Sadducees come unto him, who say there is not a rising again, and they questioned him, saying,
19 `Teacher, Moses wrote to us, that if any one's brother may die, and may leave a wife, and may leave no children, that his brother may take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
20 `There were then seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and dying, he left no seed;
21 and the second took her, and died, neither left he seed, and the third in like manner,
22 and the seven took her, and left no seed, last of all died also the woman;
23 in the rising again, then, whenever they may rise, of which of them shall she be wife -- for the seven had her as wife?'
24 And Jesus answering said to them, `Do ye not because of this go astray, not knowing the Writings, nor the power of God?
25 for when they may rise out of the dead, they neither marry nor are they given in marriage, but are as messengers who are in the heavens.
26 `And concerning the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the Book of Moses (at The Bush), how God spake to him, saying, I `am' the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
27 he is not the God of dead men, but a God of living men; ye then go greatly astray.'
28 And one of the scribes having come near, having heard them disputing, knowing that he answered them well, questioned him, `Which is the first command of all?'
29 and Jesus answered him -- `The first of all the commands `is', Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one;
30 and thou shalt love the Lord thy God out of all thy heart, and out of thy soul, and out of all thine understanding, and out of all thy strength -- this `is' the first command;
31 and the second `is' like `it', this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; -- greater than these there is no other command.'
32 And the scribe said to him, `Well, Teacher, in truth thou hast spoken that there is one God, and there is none other but He;
33 and to love Him out of all the heart, and out of all the understanding, and out of all the soul, and out of all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as one's self, is more than all the whole burnt-offerings and the sacrifices.'
34 And Jesus, having seen him that he answered with understanding, said to him, `Thou art not far from the reign of God;' and no one any more durst question him.
35 And Jesus answering said, teaching in the temple, `How say the scribes that the Christ is son of David?
36 for David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my lord, Sit thou on My right hand, till I place thine enemies -- thy footstool;
37 therefore David himself saith of him Lord, and whence is he his son?' And the great multitude were hearing him gladly,
38 and he was saying to them in his teaching, `Beware of the scribes, who will in long robes to walk, and love salutations in the market-places,
39 and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in suppers,
40 who are devouring the widows' houses, and for a pretense are making long prayers; these shall receive more abundant judgment.'
41 And Jesus having sat down over-against the treasury, was beholding how the multitude do put brass into the treasury, and many rich were putting in much,
42 and having come, a poor widow did put in two mites, which are a farthing.
43 And having called near his disciples, he saith to them, `Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath put in more than all those putting into the treasury;
44 for all, out of their abundance, put in, but she, out of her want, all that she had put in -- all her living.'
1 And he began to say to them in parables, A man planted a vineyard, and made a fence round [it] and dug a wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and left the country.
2 And he sent a bondman to the husbandmen at the season, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
3 But they took him, and beat [him], and sent [him] away empty.
4 And again he sent to them another bondman; and [at] him they [threw stones, and] struck [him] on the head, and sent [him] away with insult.
5 And [again] he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.
6 Having yet therefore one beloved son, he sent also him to them the last, saying, They will have respect for my son.
7 But those husbandmen said to one another, This is the heir: come, let us kill him and the inheritance will be ours.
8 And they took him and killed him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard.
9 What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.
10 Have ye not even read this scripture, The stone which they that builded rejected, this has become the corner-stone:
11 this is of [the] Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes?
12 And they sought to lay hold of him, and they feared the crowd; for they knew that he had spoken the parable of them. And they left him and went away.
13 And they send to him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in speaking.
14 And they come and say to him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not men's person, but teachest the way of God with truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
15 Should we give, or should we not give? But he knowing their hypocrisy said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Bring me a denarius that I may see [it].
16 And they brought [it]. And he says to them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? And they said to him, Caesar's.
17 And Jesus answering said to them, Pay what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God. And they wondered at him.
18 And Sadducees come to him, that say there is no resurrection; and they demanded of him saying,
19 Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if any one's brother die, and leave a wife behind, and leave no children, that his brother shall take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
20 There were seven brethren; and the first took a wife, and dying did not leave seed;
21 and the second took her and died, and neither did he leave seed; and the third likewise.
22 And the seven [took her and] did not leave seed. Last of all the woman also died.
23 In the resurrection, when they shall rise again, of which of them shall she be wife, for the seven had her as wife?
24 And Jesus answering said to them, Do not ye therefore err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God?
25 For when they rise from among [the] dead they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels [who are] in the heavens.
26 But concerning the dead that they rise, have ye not read in the book of Moses, in [the section of] the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, *I* [am] the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of [the] dead, but of [the] living. *Ye* therefore greatly err.
28 And one of the scribes who had come up, and had heard them reasoning together, perceiving that he had answered them well, demanded of him, Which is [the] first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, [The] first commandment of all [is], Hear, Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord;
30 and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thine understanding, and with all thy strength. This is [the] first commandment.
31 And a second like it [is] this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is not another commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said to him, Right, teacher; thou hast spoken according to [the] truth. For he is one, and there is none other besides him;
33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the intelligence, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbour as one's self, is more than all the burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
34 And Jesus, seeing that he had answered intelligently, said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no one dared question him any more.
35 And Jesus answering said [as he was] teaching in the temple, How do the scribes say that the Christ is son of David?
36 [for] David himself said [speaking] in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand until I put thine enemies [as] footstool of thy feet.
37 David himself [therefore] calls him Lord, and whence is he his son? And the mass of the people heard him gladly.
38 And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and salutations in the marketplaces,
39 and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at suppers;
40 who devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext make long prayers. These shall receive a severer judgment.
41 And Jesus, having sat down opposite the treasury, saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury; and many rich cast in much.
42 And a poor widow came and cast in two mites, which is a farthing.
43 And having called his disciples to [him] he said to them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow has cast in more than all who have cast into the treasury:
44 for all have cast in of that which they had in abundance, but she of her destitution has cast in all that she had, the whole of her living.
1 He began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.
2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
3 They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5 Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some.
6 Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'
7 But those farmers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
8 They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.
10 Haven't you even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner.
11 This was from the Lord, It is marvelous in our eyes'?"
12 They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.
13 They sent some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words.
14 When they had come, they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don't defer to anyone; for you aren't partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we give, or shall we not give?" But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it."
16 They brought it. He said to them, "Whose is this image and inscription?" They said to him, "Caesar's."
17 Jesus answered them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." They marveled greatly at him.
18 There came to him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection. They asked him, saying,
19 "Teacher, Moses wrote to us, 'If a man's brother dies, and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.'
20 There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
21 The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;
22 and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
23 In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife."
24 Jesus answered them, "Isn't this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God?
25 For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
26 But about the dead, that they are raised; haven't you read in the book of Moses, about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, '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 therefore badly mistaken."
28 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the greatest of all?"
29 Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one:
30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
31 The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
32 The scribe said to him, "Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he,
33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one dared ask him any question after that.
35 Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
36 For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.'
37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?" The common people heard him gladly.
38 In his teaching he said to them, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,
39 and the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts:
40 those who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
42 A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins,{Literally, lepta (or widow's mites). Lepta are very small brass coins worth half a quadrans each, which is a quarter of the copper assarion. Lepta are worth less than 1% of an agricultural worker's daily wages.} which equal a quadrans coin.{A quadrans is a coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius. A denarius is about one day's wages for an agricultural laborer.}
43 He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on."
1 And he gave them teaching in the form of stories. A man had a vine-garden planted, and put a wall about it, and made a place for crushing out the wine, and put up a tower, and let it out to field-workers, and went into another country.
2 And when the time came, he sent a servant to get from the workmen some of the fruit of the garden.
3 And they took him, and gave him blows, and sent him away with nothing.
4 And again he sent to them another servant; and they gave him wounds on the head, and were very cruel to him.
5 And he sent another; and they put him to death: and a number of others, whipping some, and putting some to death.
6 He still had one, a dearly loved son: he sent him last to them, saying, They will have respect for my son.
7 But those workmen said among themselves, This is he who will one day be the owner of the property; come, let us put him to death, and the heritage will be ours.
8 And they took him and put him to death, pushing his body out of the garden.
9 What then will the master of the garden do? He will come and put the workmen to death, and will give the garden into the hands of others.
10 Have you not seen this which is in the Writings: The stone which the builders put on one side, the same was made the chief stone of the building:
11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is a wonder in our eyes?
12 And they made attempts to take him; but they were in fear of the people, because they saw that the story was against them; and they went away from him.
13 Then they sent to him certain of the Pharisees and the Herodians, so that they might make use of his words to take him by a trick.
14 And when they had come, they said to him, Master, we are certain that you are true, and have no fear of anyone: you have no respect for a man's position, but you are teaching the true way of God: Is it right to give taxes to Caesar or not?
15 Are we to give or not to give? But he, conscious of their false hearts, said to them, Why do you put me to the test? give me a penny, so that I may see it.
16 And they gave him one. And he said to them, Whose is this image and name on it? And they said to him, Caesar's.
17 And Jesus said to them, Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's. And they were full of wonder at him.
18 And there came to him Sadducees, who say there is no coming back from the dead; and they put a question to him, saying,
19 Master, in the law Moses says, If a man's brother comes to his end, and has a wife still living and no child, it is right for his brother to take his wife, and get a family for his brother.
20 There were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and at his death there were no offspring;
21 And the second took her, and at his death there were no offspring; and the third the same:
22 And all the seven had no seed. Last of all the woman herself came to her death.
23 In the future life, when they come back from the dead, whose wife will she be? for the seven had her for a wife.
24 Jesus said to them, Is not this the reason for your error, that you have no knowledge of the holy Writings or of the power of God?
25 When they come back from the dead, they do not get married, but are like the angels in heaven.
26 But as to the dead coming back to life; have you not seen in the book of Moses, about the burning thorn-tree, how God said to him, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: you are greatly in error.
28 And one of the scribes came, and hearing their argument together, and seeing that he had given them a good answer, put the question to him, Which law is the first of all?
29 Jesus said in answer, The first is, Give ear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord;
30 And you are to have love for the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
31 The second is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. There is no other law greater than these.
32 And the scribe said to him, Truly, Master, you have well said that he is one, and there is no other but he:
33 And to have love for him with all the heart, and with all the mind, and with all the strength, and to have the same love for his neighbour as for himself, is much more than all forms of offerings.
34 And when Jesus saw that he gave a wise answer, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. And every man after that was in fear of questioning him any more.
35 And Jesus, when he was teaching in the Temple, said, How do the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my Lord, Be seated at my right hand, till I put those who are against you under your feet.
37 David himself gives him the name of Lord; and how then is he his son? And the common people gave ear to him gladly.
38 And in his teaching he said, Be on your watch against the scribes, whose pleasure it is to go about in long robes and be respected in the market-places,
39 And to have the chief seats in the Synagogues and the first places at feasts;
40 Who take away the property of widows, and before the eyes of men make long prayers; these will be judged more hardly.
41 And he took a seat by the place where the money was kept, and saw how the people put money into the boxes: and a number who had wealth put in much.
42 And there came a poor widow, and she put in two little bits of money, which make a farthing.
43 And he made his disciples come to him, and said to them, Truly I say to you, This poor widow has put in more than all those who are putting money into the box:
44 Because they all put in something out of what they had no need for; but she out of her need put in all she had, even all her living.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Mark 12
Commentary on Mark 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Mr 12:1-12. Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. ( = Mt 21:33-46; Lu 20:9-18).
See on Mt 21:33-46.
Mr 12:13-40. Entangling Questions about Tribute the Resurrection, and the Great Commandment, with the Replies—Christ Baffles the Pharisees by a Question about David, and Denounces the Scribes. ( = Mt 22:15-46; Lu 20:20-47).
The time of this section appears to be still the third day (Tuesday) of Christ's last week. Matthew introduces the subject by saying (Mt 22:15), "Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk."
13. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees—"their disciples," says Matthew (Mt 22:16); probably young and zealous scholars in that hardening school.
and of the Herodians—(See on Mt 12:14). In Lu 20:20 these willing tools are called "spies, which should feign themselves just [righteous] men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor." Their plan, then, was to entrap Him into some expression which might be construed into disaffection to the Roman government; the Pharisees themselves being notoriously discontented with the Roman yoke.
Tribute to Cæsar (Mr 12:14-17).
14. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master—Teacher.
we know that thou art true, and carest for no man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth—By such flattery—though they said only the truth—they hoped to throw Him off His guard.
Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not?—It was the civil poll tax paid by all enrolled in the "census." See on Mt 17:25.
15. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy—"their wickedness" (Mt 22:18); "their craftiness" (Lu 20:23). The malignity of their hearts took the form of craft, pretending what they did not feel—an anxious desire to be guided aright in a matter which to a scrupulous few might seem a question of some difficulty. Seeing perfectly through this,
He said unto them, Why tempt ye me?—"hypocrites!"
bring me a penny that I may see it—"the tribute money" (Mt 22:19).
16. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image—stamped upon the coin.
and superscription?—the words encircling it on the obverse side.
And they said unto him, Cæsar's.
17. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's—Putting it in this general form, it was impossible for sedition itself to dispute it, and yet it dissolved the snare.
and to God the things that are God's—How much is there in this profound but to them startling addition to the maxim, and how incomparable is the whole for fulness, brevity, clearness, weight!
and they marvelled at him—"at His answer, and held their peace" (Lu 20:26), "and left Him, and went their way" (Mt 22:22).
The Resurrection (Mr 12:18-27).
18. Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection—"neither angel nor spirit" (Ac 23:7). They were the materialists of the day. See on Ac 23:6.
and they asked him, saying—as follows:
19-22. Master, Moses wrote unto us—(De 25:5).
If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him … And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23. In the resurrection therefore when they shall rise, &c.
24. Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures—regarding the future state.
neither the power of God?—before which a thousand such difficulties vanish.
25. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage—"neither can they die any more" (Lu 20:36). Marriage is ordained to perpetuate the human family; but as there will be no breaches by death in the future state, this ordinance will cease.
but are as the angels which are in heaven—In Luke (Lu 20:36) it is "equal unto the angels." But as the subject is death and resurrection, we are not warranted to extend the equality here taught beyond the one point—the immortality of their nature. A beautiful clause is added in Luke (Lu 20:36)—"and are the children of God"—not in respect of character, which is not here spoken of, but of nature—"being the children of the resurrection," as rising to an undecaying existence (Ro 8:21, 23), and so being the children of their Father's immortality (1Ti 6:16).
26. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses—"even Moses" (Lu 20:37), whom they had just quoted for the purpose of entangling Him.
how in the bush God spake unto him—either "at the bush," as the same expression is rendered in Lu 20:37, that is, when he was there; or "in the [section of his history regarding the] bush." The structure of our verse suggests the latter sense, which is not unusual.
saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?—(Ex 3:6).
27. He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living—not "the God of dead but [the God] of living persons." The word in brackets is almost certainly an addition to the genuine text, and critical editors exclude it. "For all live unto Him" (Lu 20:38)—"in His view," or "in His estimation." This last statement—found only in Luke—though adding nothing to the argument, is an important additional illustration. It is true, indeed, that to God no human being is dead or ever will be, but all mankind sustain an abiding conscious relation to Him; but the "all" here means "those who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world." These sustain a gracious covenant relation to God which cannot be dissolved. (Compare Ro 6:10, 11). In this sense our Lord affirms that for Moses to call the Lord the "God" of His patriarchal servants, if at that moment they had no existence, would be unworthy of Him. He "would be ashamed to be called their God, if He had not prepared for them a city" (Heb 11:16). It was concluded by some of the early Fathers, from our Lord's resting His proof of the Resurrection on such a passage as this, instead of quoting some much clearer testimonies of the Old Testament, that the Sadducees, to whom this was addressed, acknowledged the authority of no part of the Old Testament but the Pentateuch; and this opinion has held its ground even till now. But as there is no ground for it in the New Testament, so Josephus is silent upon it; merely saying that they rejected the Pharisaic traditions. It was because the Pentateuch was regarded by all classes as the fundamental source of the Hebrew religion, and all the succeeding books of the Old Testament but as developments of it, that our Lord would show that even there the doctrine of the Resurrection was taught. And all the rather does He select this passage, as being not a bare annunciation of the doctrine in question, but as expressive of that glorious truth out of which the Resurrection springs. "And when the multitude heard this" (says Mt 22:23), "they were astonished at His doctrine." "Then," adds Lu 20:39, 40, "certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said"—enjoying His victory over the Sadducees. "And after that they durst not ask Him any [question at all]"—neither party could; both being for the time utterly foiled.
The Great Commandment (Mr 12:28-34).
"But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together" (Mt 22:34).
28. And one of the scribes—"a lawyer," says Matthew (Mt 22:35); that is, teacher of the law.
came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him—manifestly in no bad spirit. When Matthew (Mt 22:35) therefore says he came "tempting," or "trying him," as one of the Pharisaic party who seemed to enjoy the defeat He had given to the Sadducees, we may suppose that though somewhat priding himself upon his insight into the law, and not indisposed to measure his knowledge with One in whom he had not yet learned to believe, he was nevertheless an honest-hearted, fair disputant.
Which is the first commandment of all?—first in importance; the primary, leading commandment, the most fundamental one. This was a question which, with some others, divided the Jewish teachers into rival schools. Our Lord's answer is in a strain of respect very different from what He showed to cavillers—ever observing His own direction, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine; lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" (Mt 7:6).
29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is—The readings here vary considerably. Tischendorf and Tregelles read simply, "the first is"; and they are followed by Meyer and Alford. But though the authority for the precise form of the received text is slender, a form almost identical with it seems to have most weight of authority. Our Lord here gives His explicit sanction to the distinction between commandments of a more fundamental and primary character, and commandments of a more dependent and subordinate nature; a distinction of which it is confidently asserted by a certain class of critics that the Jews knew nothing, that our Lord and His apostles nowhere lay down, and which has been invented by Christian divines. (Compare Mt 23:23).
Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord—This every devout Jew recited twice every day, and the Jews do it to this day; thus keeping up the great ancient national protest against the polytheisms and pantheisms of the heathen world: it is the great utterance of the national faith in One Living and Personal God—"One Jehovah!"
30. And thou shalt—We have here the language of law, expressive of God's claims. What then are we here bound down to do? One word is made to express it. And what a word! Had the essence of the divine law consisted in deeds, it could not possibly have been expressed in a single word; for no one deed is comprehensive of all others embraced in the law. But as it consists in an affection of the soul, one word suffices to express it—but only one. Fear, though due to God and enjoined by Him, is limited in its sphere and distant in character. Trust, hope, and the like, though essential features of a right state of heart towards God, are called into action only by personal necessity, and so are—in a good sense, it is true, but still are properly—selfish affections; that is to say, they have respect to our own well-being. But LOVE is an all-inclusive affection, embracing not only every other affection proper to its object, but all that is proper to be done to its object; for as love spontaneously seeks to please its object, so, in the case of men to God, it is the native well spring of a voluntary obedience. It is, besides, the most personal of all affections. One may fear an event, one may hope for an event, one may rejoice in an event; but one can love only a Person. It is the tenderest, the most unselfish, the most divine of all affections. Such, then, is the affection in which the essence of the divine law is declared to consist.
Thou shalt love—We now come to the glorious Object of that demanded affection.
Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God—that is, Jehovah, the Self-Existent One, who has revealed Himself as the "I Am," and there is none else; who, though by His name Jehovah apparently at an unapproachable distance from His finite creatures, yet bears to Thee a real and definite relationship, out of which arises His claim and Thy duty—of LOVE. But with what are we to love Him? Four things are here specified. First, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God"
with thy heart—This sometimes means "the whole inner man" (as Pr 4:23); but that cannot be meant here; for then the other three particulars would be superfluous. Very often it means "our emotional nature"—the seat of feeling as distinguished from our intellectual nature or the seat of thought, commonly called the "mind" (as in Php 4:7). But neither can this be the sense of it here; for here the heart is distinguished both from the "mind" and the "soul." The "heart," then, must here mean the sincerity of both the thoughts and the feelings; in other words, uprightness or true-heartedness, as opposed to a hypocritical or divided affection. But next, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God" with thy soul. This is designed to command our emotional nature: Thou shalt put feeling or warmth into thine affection. Further, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God"
with thy mind—This commands our intellectual nature: Thou shalt put intelligence into thine affection—in opposition to a blind devotion, or mere devoteeism. Lastly, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God"
with thy strength—This commands our energies: Thou shalt put intensity into thine affection—"Do it with thy might" (Ec 9:10). Taking these four things together, the command of the Law is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy powers—with a sincere, a fervid, an intelligent, an energetic love." But this is not all that the Law demands. God will have all these qualities in their most perfect exercise. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God," says the Law, "with all thy heart," or, with perfect sincerity; "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy soul," or, with the utmost fervor; "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy mind," or, in the fullest exercise of an enlightened reason; and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy strength," or, with the whole energy of our being! So much for the First Commandment.
31. And the second is like—"unto it" (Mt 22:39); as demanding the same affection, and only the extension of it, in its proper measure, to the creatures of Him whom we thus love—our brethren in the participation of the same nature, and neighbors, as connected with us by ties that render each dependent upon and necessary to the other.
Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself—Now, as we are not to love ourselves supremely, this is virtually a command, in the first place, not to love our neighbor with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. And thus it is a condemnation of the idolatry of the creature. Our supreme and uttermost affection is to be reserved for God. But as sincerely as ourselves we are to love all mankind, and with the same readiness to do and suffer for them as we should reasonably desire them to show to us. The golden rule (Mt 7:12) is here our best interpreter of the nature and extent of these claims.
There is none other commandment greater than these—or, as in Mt 22:40, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (see on Mt 5:17). It is as if He had said, "This is all Scripture in a nutshell; the whole law of human duty in a portable, pocket form." Indeed, it is so simple that a child may understand it, so brief that all may remember it, so comprehensive as to embrace all possible cases. And from its very nature it is unchangeable. It is inconceivable that God should require from his rational creatures anything less, or in substance anything else, under any dispensation, in any world, at any period throughout eternal duration. He cannot but claim this—all this—alike in heaven, in earth, and in hell! And this incomparable summary of the divine law belonged to the Jewish religion! As it shines in its own self-evidencing splendor, so it reveals its own true source. The religion from which the world has received it could be none other than a God-given religion!
32. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master—Teacher.
thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he—The genuine text here seems clearly to have been, "There is one," without the word "God"; and so nearly all critical editors and expositors read.
33. And to love him with all the heart … and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices—more, that is, than all positive institutions; thereby showing insight into the essential difference between what is moral and in its own nature unchangeable, and what is obligatory only because enjoined, and only so long as enjoined.
34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly—rather, "intelligently," or "sensibly"; not only in a good spirit, but with a promising measure of insight into spiritual things.
he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God—for he had but to follow out a little further what he seemed sincerely to own, to find his way into the kingdom. He needed only the experience of another eminent scribe who at a later period said, "We know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin": who exclaimed, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me?" but who added, "I thank God through Jesus Christ!" (Ro 7:14, 24, 25). Perhaps among the "great company of the priests" and other Jewish ecclesiastics who "were obedient to the faith," almost immediately after the day of Pentecost (Ac 6:7), this upright lawyer was one. But for all his nearness to the Kingdom of God, it may be he never entered it.
And no man after that durst ask any question—all feeling that they were no match for Him, and that it was vain to enter the lists with Him.
Christ Baffles the Pharisees Regarding David (Mr 12:35-37).
35. And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple—and "while the Pharisees were gathered together" (Mt 22:41).
How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?—How come they to give it out that Messiah is to be the son of David? In Matthew (Mt 22:42), Jesus asks them, "What think ye of Christ?" or of the promised and expected Messiah? "Whose son is He [to be]? They say unto Him, The son of David." The sense is the same. "He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord?" (Mt 22:42, 43).
36. For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool—(Ps 110:1).
37. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?—There is but one solution of this difficulty. Messiah is at once inferior to David as his son according to the flesh, and superior to him as the Lord of a kingdom of which David is himself a subject, not the sovereign. The human and divine natures of Christ, and the spirituality of His kingdom—of which the highest earthly sovereigns are honored if they be counted worthy to be its subjects—furnish the only key to this puzzle.
And the common people—the immense crowd.
heard him gladly—"And no man was able to answer Him a word; neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions" (Mt 22:46).
The Scribes Denounced (Mr 12:38-40).
38. And he said unto them in his doctrine—rather, "in His teaching"; implying that this was but a specimen of an extended discourse, which Matthew gives in full (Mt 23:1-39). Luke says (Lu 20:45) this was "in the audience of all the people said unto His disciples."
Beware of the scribes, which love—or like.
to go in long clothing—(see on Mt 23:5).
and love salutations in the market-places,
39. And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms—or positions.
at feasts—On this love of distinction, see on Lu 14:7; Mt 6:5.
40. Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation—They took advantage of their helpless condition and confiding character to obtain possession of their property, while by their "long prayers" they made them believe they were raised far above "filthy lucre." So much the "greater damnation" awaited them. (Compare Mt 23:33). A lifelike description this of the Romish clergy, the true successors of "the scribes."
Mr 12:41-44. The Widow's Two Mites. ( = Lu 21:1-4).
See on Lu 21:1-4.