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.
33. Is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices. But it appears to be incongruous that sacrifices, which are a part of divine worship, and belong to the first table of the Law, should be reckoned of less importance than charity towards men.
This scribe stood apart from his fellows: he heard Christ answer the Sadducees well and owned it plainly, asking not to trap Him but to learn. He sought which commandment towers above all others, not in sequence but in weight, as the foundation on which all obedience rests.
AI summary
Commenting on Mark 12:28-34
And Jesus answered and said,.... To the Pharisees that were gathered together about him; See Gill on Mat 22:41. While he taught in the temple; Whilst he was in the temple, and as he was teaching the people there; among other things in his doctrine, he put this question, how say the Scribes, that Christ is the son of David?