Mark 12:18-34

181Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that 2if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaves no child, his brother should 3marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. 20There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21The second one 4married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22and so 5all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. 23In the resurrection, 6when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For 7all seven had married her.” 24Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not 8understand the Scriptures or the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26But 9regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, 10in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘11I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 2712He is not the God 13of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”

2814One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and 15recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the 16foremost of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘17Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 3018and 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.’ 31The second is this, ‘19You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that 20He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 3321and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, 22is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” 23After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.