Mark 12:18-34

18Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Him, and began questioning Him, saying,

19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us [a law] that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but leaves no child, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.

20There were seven brothers; the first [one] took a wife, and died leaving no children.

21The second brother married her, and died leaving no children; and the third likewise;

22and so all seven [married her and died, and] left no children. Last of all the woman died also.

23In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven [brothers] were married to her.”

24Jesus said to them, “Is this not why you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures [that teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [who is able to raise the dead]?

25For when they rise from the dead, they do not marry nor are they given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

26But concerning the raising of the dead, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken and you are deceiving yourselves!”

28Then one of the scribes [an expert in Mosaic Law] came up and listened to them arguing [with one another], and noticing that Jesus answered them well, asked Him, “Which commandment is first and most important of all?”

29Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord;

30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’

31This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32The scribe said to Him, “Admirably answered, Teacher; You truthfully stated that He is One, and there is no other but Him;

33and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to [unselfishly] love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would dare to ask Him any more questions.