Definition: And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Mark 12:28. It’s a really important question in the Bible, and it gets to the heart of how early Christians understood Jesus’ teachings. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Core Idea: Jesus is asking a very basic question about the most important rule of Jewish law – the one that set everything else by. He’s essentially saying, “What’s the absolute first rule everyone needs to follow?” Let's unpack it word-by-word: “And one of the scribes came…” - This tells us this isn't a big, complicated question from a high-ranking official. It's coming from someone who was just listening and observing. “…and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well…” – Jesus is noticing that people were debating about the meaning of this rule. They were thinking about it! This shows he’s aware of a challenge to his teaching. “asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?” - This is the question itself. Jesus is asking, "What's the very beginning? What’s the absolute foundation upon which everything else builds?" So, what does this mean in practical terms? Jesus was essentially saying: "The most important rule isn't about how to do something – it’s about what you must do." It's about being honest and truthful. Why is this significant? This question highlights a key point in Jesus’ teaching. He wasn’t just focused on simple rules, he was emphasizing that honesty and truthfulness are paramount. It connects to his teachings about: God's Truth: Jesus was challenging the religious leaders of the time – who were often more concerned with tradition than with God’s word. Personal Relationship with God: Being truthful is essential for a good relationship with God, because it shows that we are committed to doing what is right. In short: Jesus is asking us to focus on the fundamental principle of honesty and truthfulness as the most important thing in our lives. --- Do you want me to: Explain this passage further? Give you a different example of a similar question from the Bible?