12:28 Now 1 one of the experts in the law 2 came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus 3 answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 12:29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 12:30 Love 4 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 5
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
2 tn Or “One of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Grk “You will love.” The future indicative is used here with imperatival force (see ExSyn 452 and 569).
5 sn A quotation from Deut 6:4-5 and Josh 22:5 (LXX). The fourfold reference to different parts of the person says, in effect, that one should love God with all one’s being.