Meaning, commentary and cross references
Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
NIV · New International Version
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
WEB · World English Bible
The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
What does Mark 12:31 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Mark 12:31
And the second is like,.... "Unto it", as in Matthew 22:39 and so it is read here in two ancient copies of Beza's, and in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. This commandment stands in Leviticus 19:18 and respects not an Israelite only, or one of the same religion with a man's self, or his intimate friend and acquaintance, or one that lives in the same neighbourhood; but any man whatever, to whom affection should be shown, and good should be done to him, and for him, as a man would have done to and for himself; as much as lies in his power, both in things temporal and spiritual; see the note on Matthew…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Mark 12:28–34
Has not one Christ redeemed us? Well might Christ say, There is no other commandment greater than these; for in these all the law is fulfilled, and if we make conscience of obedience to these, all other instances of obedience will follow of course. III. The scribe consented to what Christ said, and descanted upon it, Mar 12:32, Mar 12:33. 1.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Mark 12:28–34
And the second, which is like it, is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: there is no other commandment greater than these. 32. And the scribe said to him, Master, thou hast answered well with truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him. 33. And that 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 neighbor as himself, is better than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34. And Jesus, when he saw that he had replied skillfully, said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Mark 12:28–34 (WEB)
28One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he; 33and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, 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.” 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
Cross references
- Romans 13:8–9
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
- Matthew 22:39
A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
- Leviticus 19:18
“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
- Luke 10:27
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–8
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
- Matthew 7:12
Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
- Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- 1 John 4:21
This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q48. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.