Mark 12:18-34

Questions designed to trap Jesus Mark 12:18-34: The Sadducees denied that souls are immortal. They said that there is no resurrection, nor spirits nor angels. (Acts 23:8) They acted as if they wanted an explanation as to what was taught in Deuteronomy 25:5-6 concerning marriage. They approached Jesus with the story of seven brothers that all died childless after having this same woman as wife. Their question was, "when they arise whose wife shall she be for all seven had her?" Ignorance of the teaching of Scripture prompted this question. When we rise from the dead, "we neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven." (Mark 12:25)

A scribe heard the wise answers that Jesus had given to the other questions and thought He could ask a more difficult question. He asked Jesus to identify the greatest commandment. He must have thought that the Lord would have real trouble with his question. The Lord's answer was both simple and profound. "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." (Mark 12:30-31) The quote concerning loving God was from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. We learn from Jesus' answer that there is but one true God and we also observe our responsibility toward Him. After this, no one dared to ask Jesus any more questions.