King James Version

What Does Mark 12:32 Mean?

Mark 12:32 in the King James Version says “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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:”

Mark 12:32 · KJV

Truth

Context

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.

Read Mark 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The scribe's response—Well, Master, thou hast said the truth—affirms Jesus' authority as a teacher (διδάσκαλε, didaskale = 'teacher' or 'master'). His declaration there is one God; and there is none other but he echoes the Shema's radical monotheism from Deuteronomy 6:4. In a polytheistic Greco-Roman world where Caesar claimed divinity and provincial cults proliferated, this confession was countercultural and politically dangerous.

The scribe's emphatic statement—οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν αὐτοῦ (ouk estin allos plēn autou, 'there is no other except him')—uses double negation for rhetorical force. This isn't mere theological abstraction but existential commitment: Israel's God alone deserves absolute allegiance. The scribe demonstrates genuine understanding by connecting Jesus' teaching to Scripture's foundational truth. His affirmation prepares for his profound insight in verse 33—that love surpasses ritual sacrifice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4, 'Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD') was Judaism's most foundational confession, recited twice daily by devout Jews. It established ethical monotheism—worship of the one true God—as Israel's distinctive identity among pagan nations. In the first-century Roman Empire, Jews and Christians faced pressure to participate in emperor worship and civic religion. Confessing 'one God' excluded all rivals, including Caesar. This conversation occurred in Jerusalem's temple, where sacrificial worship continued daily—yet this scribe will soon recognize that love transcends even temple ritual (v. 33), anticipating Christianity's break from sacrificial system after Jesus' once-for-all atonement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the scribe's public affirmation of monotheism in polytheistic Jerusalem model courage to confess unpopular truth?
  2. What modern 'gods' (money, career, nation, ideology) compete for the allegiance that belongs to God alone?
  3. Why is theological orthodoxy (right belief about God's oneness) inseparable from practical worship (exclusive devotion)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπας,2 of 20

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῦ·3 of 20

“he”

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

ὁ4 of 20
G3588

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

γραμματεύς5 of 20

“the scribe”

G1122

a professional writer

Καλῶς6 of 20

“Well”

G2573

well (usually morally)

διδάσκαλε7 of 20

“Master”

G1320

an instructor (genitive case or specially)

ἐπ'8 of 20

“the”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἀληθείας9 of 20

“truth”

G225

truth

εἶπας,10 of 20

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὅτι11 of 20

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

εἷς12 of 20

“one”

G1520

one

ἔστιν13 of 20

“there is”

G2076

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

Θεὸς,14 of 20

“God”

G2316

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

καὶ15 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ16 of 20

“none”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν17 of 20

“there is”

G2076

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

ἄλλος18 of 20

“other”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

πλὴν19 of 20

“but”

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

αὐτοῦ·20 of 20

“he”

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

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 12:32 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 12:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:39Isaiah 46:9Deuteronomy 4:35Isaiah 45:5-6Isaiah 45:18Isaiah 45:14

Test Your Knowledge

Mark 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMark Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Mark 12 with CommentaryAll Mark ChaptersComplete Mark QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes