King James Version

What Does Mark 12:29 Mean?

Mark 12:29 in the King James Version says “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:”

Mark 12:29 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When asked which commandment is first, Jesus answered: 'The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord' (Πρώτη πάντων τῶν ἐντολῶν, Ἄκουε, Ἰσραήλ, Κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν Κύριος εἷς ἐστιν). Jesus quoted the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), Judaism's central confession. The declaration 'the Lord is one' (Kyrios heis, Κύριος εἷς) affirms monotheism—God is unique, singular, indivisible. This foundational truth grounds the greatest commandment (v. 30): love this one God supremely. Recognizing God's oneness demands exclusive devotion—no competing loyalties, divided hearts, or lesser gods. Christian theology developed Trinitarian monotheism—one God eternally existing as three persons (Father, Son, Spirit). The Shema doesn't contradict Trinity but establishes that there is one divine essence, not multiple gods.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Shema (from Hebrew shema', 'hear') was (and is) Judaism's central prayer, recited twice daily. It appears in Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41. Faithful Jews recited it morning and evening, wore it in phylacteries (small boxes containing Scripture, Matthew 23:5), and affixed it to doorposts (mezuzah). The Shema distinguished Israel's monotheism from ancient Near Eastern polytheism. Jesus' citation as 'first commandment' emphasized its primacy. Early Christian debates over Jesus' deity had to reconcile Shema monotheism with Christ's divine worship. Orthodox theology developed Trinitarian doctrine: one God, three persons. The Shema doesn't deny Trinity (Hebrew echad can mean 'composite unity,' as in Genesis 2:24, 'one flesh') but affirms singular divine essence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Shema's declaration of God's oneness guard against idolatry and divided religious loyalties?
  2. What does recognizing God as 'one Lord' demand regarding the totality and exclusivity of our devotion?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ὁ1 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 19

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 19

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀπεκρίθη4 of 19

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

αὐτῷ,5 of 19

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι6 of 19

“The”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Πρώτη7 of 19

“first”

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

πασῶν8 of 19

“of all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῶν9 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐντολῶν,10 of 19

“the commandments”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

Ἄκουε11 of 19

“is Hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

Ἰσραήλ12 of 19

“O Israel”

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

κύριος13 of 19

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ὁ14 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς15 of 19

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἡμῶν16 of 19

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

κύριος17 of 19

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

εἷς18 of 19

“one”

G1520

one

ἐστίν19 of 19

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 12:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 12:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 6:4Luke 10:27Galatians 3:20Romans 3:30Jude 1:251 Corinthians 8:4

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