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Ordinary Time · Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

Mark 12:28b-34

The Greatest Commandment

October 31, 2027

The Rejoicing of the Law, Solomon Alexander Hart
The Rejoicing of the Law, Solomon Alexander Hart, 1850The Jewish Museum, New York
A Jewish painter, the first elected to the Royal Academy, paints Simchat Torah in a Livorno synagogue, with the scrolls carried round and children on shoulders.You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. There is no other commandment greater than these. The reading is an argument about the Torah, and this is a painting of people delighting in it.Solomon Alexander HartThe first Jewish artist elected to the Royal Academy, who painted both English history and scenes of Jewish worship.The Jewish Museum, New YorkA museum on Fifth Avenue in a Warburg mansion, devoted to Jewish art and culture across four thousand years.The Jewish Museum, New York
Roman Lectionary
GospelMark 12:28b-34Mk 12:28b-34
Second ReadingHeb. 7:23-28Heb 7:23-28
First ReadingDeut. 6:2-6Dt 6:2-6
Responsorial PsalmPs. 18:2-3, 3-4, 47+51 (2)Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47+51 (2)

Overview & Insights

"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." (Mark 12:30)

A scribe asks Jesus which commandment is first of all, and Jesus answers by joining love of God from the Shema with love of neighbor, telling the scribe who agrees that he is not far from the kingdom of God.

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Take it further: Mark 12:28b-34

Commentary

Commentary on Mark 12:28-34Commentary on Mk 12:28-34 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis of the greatest commandment for this Sunday of the Year B track.

Mark 12:28-34 CommentaryMk 12:28-34 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed, sermon shaped reading of the scribe's question and the two great commandments of love.

Mark 12: Jesus Teaches in the TempleMk 12: Jesus Teaches in the Temple Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.

Mark 12 CommentaryMk 12 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of quotations, word studies, and cross references worked verse by verse.

Mark 12:28 CommentariesMk 12:28 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries such as Barnes, Gill, and Ellicott on the passage in one place.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre reads the day's Mass readings from a Catholic scholar, opening the greatest commandment against the Shema.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic background, reflection questions, and family prayer for the Sunday's readings.

Background & Word Study

Book of Mark OverviewBook of Mk Overview BibleProject

An animated walk through Mark's structure and themes to place the temple teaching.

Mark 12:28 Greek InterlinearMk 12:28 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for close study of the commandment.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Mark 12Catena on Mk 12 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on the two great commandments.

Podcast

Bishop Barron: The Highest Good Is God Alone Word on Fire

Bishop Barron preaches this Sunday’s Mass readings, including Mark 12:28b-34.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for the readings of the day across the history of Christian art.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: Proper 26 B Textweek

A curated index of commentaries, art, and sermons for the day's Gospel across traditions (a few links may be dated).

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