Mark 12:24-37

24Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken because you don’t know the Scriptures or God’s power?

25When the dead come back to life, they don’t marry. Rather, they are like the angels in heaven.

26Haven’t you read in the book of Moses that the dead come back to life? It’s in the passage about the bush, where God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’

27He’s not the God of the dead but of the living. You’re badly mistaken!”

28One of the experts in Moses’ Teachings went to Jesus during the argument with the Sadducees. He saw how well Jesus answered them, so he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of them all?”

29Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.

30So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

31The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

32The expert in Moses’ Teachings said to Jesus, “Teacher, that was well said! You’ve told the truth that there is only one God and no other besides him!

33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus heard how wisely the man answered, he told the man, “You’re not too far from God’s kingdom.” After that, no one dared to ask him another question.

35While Jesus was teaching in the temple courtyard, he asked, “How can the experts in Moses’ Teachings say that the Messiah is David’s son?

36David, guided by the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Take the honored position—the one next to me [God the Father] on the heavenly throne— until I put your enemies under your control.” ’

37David calls him Lord. So how can he be his son?” The large crowd enjoyed listening to him.