The second is this:This phrase introduces the second part of Jesus' response to the question about the greatest commandment. It follows His citation of the Shema from
Deuteronomy 6:4-5, emphasizing the importance of loving God. By stating "The second is this," Jesus highlights the dual nature of the greatest commandment, which encompasses both love for God and love for others. This reflects the holistic nature of the Law, which is not just about religious duties but also about ethical relationships with others.
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
This commandment is a direct quotation fromLeviticus 19:18. In its original context, it was part of the Holiness Code, which provided guidelines for living a life set apart for God. The command to love one's neighbor was radical in its inclusivity, extending beyond family and friends to include all members of the community. In the New Testament, Jesus expands the definition of "neighbor" to include even one's enemies, as seen in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This commandment underscores the principle of empathy and selflessness, urging believers to treat others with the same care and respect they desire for themselves.
No other commandment is greater than these.”
By stating that no other commandment is greater, Jesus elevates these two commandments above all others in the Mosaic Law. This declaration emphasizes the foundational role of love in the life of a believer. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment inRomans 13:9-10 andGalatians 5:14, where he asserts that love fulfills the law. This teaching aligns with the prophetic tradition, which often critiqued religious observance devoid of justice and compassion (e.g.,Isaiah 1:11-17,Micah 6:6-8). Jesus' statement also prefigures the New Covenant, where love becomes the defining characteristic of His followers (John 13:34-35).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts in Jerusalem, responding to a question about the greatest commandment.
2.
ScribesJewish legal experts who questioned Jesus about the greatest commandment, seeking to test His understanding of the Law.
3.
JerusalemThe city where this teaching takes place, specifically in the temple courts, a central location for Jewish religious life.
4.
The LawRefers to the Mosaic Law, which includes commandments given to the Israelites. Jesus is summarizing the essence of the Law in His response.
5.
NeighborsIn the context of this commandment, "neighbors" refers to fellow human beings, emphasizing the call to love others universally.
Teaching Points
The Primacy of LoveJesus elevates love as the highest ethical standard, indicating that all other commandments are fulfilled through love.
Universal NeighborThe term "neighbor" extends beyond immediate community to all humanity, challenging believers to practice inclusive love.
Self-ReflectionLoving your neighbor "as yourself" implies a healthy self-regard, encouraging believers to reflect on how they care for themselves and extend that care to others.
Practical LoveThis commandment calls for actionable love, urging believers to demonstrate love through tangible acts of kindness and service.
Love as WitnessBy loving others, Christians bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, drawing others to Christ through their example.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 12:31?
2.How can we practically "love your neighbor as yourself" in daily interactions?
3.Why is loving your neighbor second only to loving God in Mark 12:31?
4.How does Leviticus 19:18 connect to the command in Mark 12:31?
5.What are some barriers to loving others as instructed in Mark 12:31?
6.How can we demonstrate this love in our church and community activities?
7.How does Mark 12:31 define the concept of loving your neighbor as yourself?
8.Why is loving your neighbor as yourself considered the second greatest commandment in Mark 12:31?
9.How does Mark 12:31 challenge our understanding of love in a modern context?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 12?
11.Are Christians generally homophobic?
12.How can we serve each other with love?
13.Should Christians choose to wear masks?
14.What does the social gospel entail?What Does Mark 12:31 Mean
The second is this• Jesus is answering the scribe’s question about the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-30).
• By saying “the second,” He immediately links this instruction to the first: wholehearted love for God. The two rise and fall together—love for God flows into love for people (1 John 4:20-21).
• He quotesLeviticus 19:18, showing that genuine obedience has always included love toward others, not merely ritual observance.
Cross references:Deuteronomy 6:4-5;Matthew 22:39;Luke 10:27;1 John 3:17-18.
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’• “Neighbor” reaches beyond geography or ethnicity; Jesus’ Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:30-37) illustrates that anyone in our path with a need qualifies.
• “As yourself” sets the measure: the same care, dignity, and practical concern we naturally have for our own well-being.
• Love is not abstract sentiment; Scripture spells it out in concrete deeds:
– Sharing material resources (James 2:15-16)
– Speaking truth in kindness (Ephesians 4:25)
– Bearing with and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:13)
– Refusing envy, arrogance, or selfish ambition (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
• Loving our neighbor also guards against harm: “You shall not steal, you shall not murder…” (Romans 13:9). The negatives are fulfilled by the positive command to love.
Cross references:Leviticus 19:18;Romans 13:8-10;Galatians 5:14;James 2:8.
No other commandment is greater than these• Jesus elevates love to the summit of moral duty; every other precept is either an application or a safeguard of love (Matthew 22:40).
• This priority simplifies decision-making: when uncertain, ask what choice genuinely expresses self-giving love that honors God.
• Because love fulfills the law (Romans 13:10), walking in the Spirit will always lead to practical love toward others (Galatians 5:22-23).
• The verse also warns against ranking lesser rules above love. If a practice harms or neglects a neighbor, it cannot be God’s will, no matter how “religious” it appears (Isaiah 58:1-10;Mark 7:6-13).
Cross references:Micah 6:8;1 Corinthians 16:14;Colossians 3:14.
summaryMark 12:31 teaches that authentic faith expresses itself in active, sacrificial love for people. Jesus places this command alongside wholehearted love for God, declaring that nothing outranks the twin call to love God and neighbor. Every law, decision, and relationship should be measured by this Christ-defined standard of love.
(31)
And the second is like, namely, this . . .--Better,
And the second is this. The better MSS. omit "like."
Verse 31. -
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. God is to be loved above everything - above all angels, or men, or any created thing. But after God, amongst created things, our neighbor is above all to be loved. And we are to extend to our neighbor that kind of love with which we love ourselves. Our love of ourselves is not a frigid love, but a sincere and ardent love. In like manner we should love our neighbour, and desire for him all those good things both for the body and for the soul that we desire for ourselves. This is what our Lord himself teaches us. "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, even so do unto them."
There is none other commandment greater than these. St. Matthew (
Matthew 22:40) says, "On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the prophets." There is no commandment greater than these, because all the precepts of the Divine Law are included in them. So that our Lord here teaches us that we ought continually to have these two precepts in our minds and before our eyes, and direct all our thoughts and words and actions by them, and regulate our whole life according to them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[The] secondδευτέρα(deutera)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1208:Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second.[is] this:αὕτη(hautē)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.‘LoveἈγαπήσεις(Agapēseis)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 25:To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.neighborπλησίον(plēsion)Adverb
Strong's 4139:Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.asὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.yourself.’σεαυτόν(seauton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572:Of yourself.Noοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.otherἄλλη(allē)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 243:Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.commandmentἐντολὴ(entolē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1785:An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.isἔστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.greaterμείζων(meizōn)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173:Large, great, in the widest sense.than these.”τούτων(toutōn)Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.
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NT Gospels: Mark 12:31 The second is like this 'You shall (Mar Mk Mr) 
