Mark 12:32-34 32And the scribe said to him, “Correct, Teacher. You have spoken with truth that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw him that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him questions any more.
The scribe was impressed with Jesus’ answer and could find no fault with it. The scribe’s response shows that he had thought about the message of Scripture. Jesus cleared up his thinking and confirmed his convictions. At great concern to the scribe was “monotheism,” the idea that there is only one God. Ancient Israel had struggled at this point by compromising at this crucial point, leading to many spiritual and political problems for them, resulting in God’s judgment, destruction of the nation, and exile to foreign nations. The scribe confirmed that Jesus was orthodox in his teaching. Many other minor doctrines could be debated, but there was no compromise in the core belief that there is only one God.
The scribe repeats Jesus’ statement in his own words, showing that he understood what Jesus said. Repeating or rephrasing what someone says indicates understanding. One might expect a Jew of the scribe’s standing to boast in the sacrificial system in the temple and the great enterprise that took place there. But this scribe had keen insight into the relationship of the sacrifices to the core need to love. The sacrifices had their purpose but could not replace the need to love God and love one’s neighbor. A person could give a sacrifice without love, just as a person can go to “church” and not fully love God or others. Our faith must not deteriorate only to a brief emotional experience or weekly habit or routine.
Jesus was impressed by this scribe and gave a different response to him than the others who asked him questions. Not all the Jews were against Jesus. Many were genuine seekers of the truth. This scribe, like the others, could have condemned Jesus but found no fault in him. He may have been the cream of the crop, the highest ranking scribe, or he could have just be curious. The text does not give us many details about him. One thing is clear: he found the answer he was seeking. The unstated question is what he would do with this answer. Would it change his life? Would he recognize the kingdom of God in Jesus? Jesus proclaimed that the scribe was not far away. He was headed in the right direction. He had experienced Jesus and found his answer there, but he had to go the next step in discipleship and follow after Jesus.
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