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NASB | Mark 12:31 "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 12:31 "This is the second: 'YOU SHALL [unselfishly] LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." [Lev 19:18] |
Bible Question:
What is/are the difference(s) between this 2nd greatest commandment and the new commandment (John 13:34)? Which should hold greater weight and coverage? If as according to Mark 12:31 "... there is no other commandment greater than these", why add a new commandment? Thanks and shalom Azure |
Bible Answer: Hi Azure, Just as parents would give instructions and orders to their children when taking leave of them, like- wise Jesus in John 13:34, taking leave of His disciples gave them His. Notice in vs 33,Jesus said, " Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer.. vs 34; a new commandment I give you, that you love one another..", as members in the same family, child- ren of the same Father,by staying together, pray- ing for one another, bearing one another's burden, forgiving one another and doing this in faith and holiness. This new commandment set forth by Jesus, "As I have loved you", is to be observed in a new manner, not " in the oldness of the letter (Lev 19:18), but " in the newness of the Spirit'. Though this commmandment is the same with that of Moses'(Lev 19:18), yet it bears more! The word 'neighbour', according to the way that the Jews understood it, meant " the children of their people" and their country men", wheras this new commandment reaches to any other person. " owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fullfilled the law". ( Romans 13:8). The motive here also is "new", for it is not now " as thy self " ( Mark 12:31), but " as I have loved you". As Christ loves all of His children without any distinction, so also He commanded His disciples to love one another, whether poor or rich, weak or strong,great or small. Christ loved His disciples not in word only, but in deed and in truth. Christians are a brotherhood in the service of Christ ( Matt 23:8); a family madeup of those who do the will of God. ( Matt 12:50; Mark 3:35; Luke 8:21). Jesus said to His disciples, " A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disiciples, if you have love for one another'. ( John 13:34- 35). A christian's love should extend beyond the family of Christ, however, to all people. Jesus said, " If you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? ( Matt 5:47). The christian is called not only to love his neighbour or his brother but also to love his enemy. ( Matt 5:44). God bless you. Ptr. |