Definition: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Mark 12:29. It's a really important and foundational part of understanding what Christians believe about God. Here’s a simple explanation: Basically, the verse means: “Listen to God, Israel; God is one .” Let’s unpack it a little bit: “Mark 12” : This refers to the story of Jesus teaching in the Gospels (Matthew 3:13-18, Luke 6:37). “The first of all the commandments” : Jesus is saying this is the most important rule we should follow. It’s a starting point for everything else. “Hear, O Israel…” : This is a direct address to the Jewish people (specifically, to those who follow God's laws). “…The Lord our God is one Lord:” This is the core of the verse. Jesus is emphasizing that there is only one supreme being – God. What does this all mean? For Christians, this means: God is unique: He isn't part of a team or hierarchy with other gods. God is supreme: He is the most important and powerful being in existence. We should worship only one God: It’s a fundamental belief that we should give all our devotion and respect to one God, not to many different ones. Why is this important? This verse is considered a cornerstone of Christian theology because it sets the stage for everything else about how Christians understand God's relationship with humanity. It’s a declaration of monotheism – belief in one God. In short: This verse says that God is fundamentally one and that we should recognize and honor that truth in our lives. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps discuss the significance of this concept within Christianity? For example, I could talk about: The historical context of this passage. How it relates to other biblical teachings (like the Trinity). Why it’s so important to Christians.