It appears that the different groups of authorities were present together. Two groups, the Pharisees and the Herodians approached Jesus first, and a third group, the Sadducees, after them. One of the scribes (Mark 12:28), a lawyer (Matthew 22:35), and it would seem he wasn’t a Sadducee, because Mark tells us ‘He heard them,’ which seems to indicate he wasn’t one of them—i.e., one of the Sadducees (cp. Matthew 22:34). Therefore, he was probably a Pharisee, looking on as the Sadducees reasoned with Jesus. The surprise is that this man perceived Jesus had answered well, which may also include Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees (Mark 12:17). Therefore, although he was opposed to Jesus, he seems to have been an honest opponent. Thus, he decided to approach Jesus, himself, with a question (Mark 12:28), and Matthew tells us he did so in order to test him (Matthew 22:35).
The Greek word in Matthew’s account is peirazo (G3918), and it can be used in either an evil way, to tempt someone into doing wrong, or to stumble. On the other hand, it can be used to test someone’s ability, like a teacher would a pupil. I believe the context demands the word should be understood in a good or complimentary manner. Therefore, this man, one of Jesus opponents, seems to be thinking for himself and wanting to understand in his own heart what had just taken place. He was still Jesus’ enemy, but the events that had just taken place had given him pause, and, perhaps for the very first time, he had begun to question the methods of his friends and acquaintances. So, he asked Jesus: “Which is the first (i.e., the most important) commandment of all?”
Jesus’ reply was what has become known as the Shema Yisrael or Sh’ma Ysrael: “Hear, O Israel…” (Mark 12:29-30). The two words begin the command at Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” The prayer/scripture serves as the focus of the evening and morning Jewish prayer services.
Jesus added the next great commandment, which concerned loving one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), saying there is no commandment greater than these two (Mark 12:31). Matthew concludes Jesus’ remarks with, “Upon these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). What is surprising is that Matthew ends the discussion between Jesus and this man there, and Luke leaves out the entire event. Mark is the only one of the Synoptics that continues describing what occurred between Jesus and this single scribe, who was, no doubt, one of the party of the Pharisees.
We are told that the scribe agreed with Jesus, something that wasn’t ever done, at least never recorded elsewhere in the Gospel narratives. No other Pharisee, Sadducee or Herodian, who was one of Jesus’ opponents ever looked Jesus in the face and agreed with him.[1] Mark records the only man honest enough to do so, and I believe this may be important. He told Jesus he was correct, and that these two commandments were more important than all the sacrifices slain on the altar in the Temple, where they both stood. (Mark 12:32-33). It isn’t said, nor could we ever know for certain, but I believe this man may have been Saul of Tarsus, aka Paul.
When Jesus noticed that he replied discreetly (G3562), which is a word used only here in the Bible, in other words, he replied wisely, explaining why he agreed with Jesus (more than all the sacrifices, etc.), when he had thus replied, Jesus told the man he wasn’t far from the Kingdom of God (Mark 12:34).
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[1] There are, however, two Pharisees and one Sadducee who were Jesus disciples, and, of course, cannot be counted with the other Jewish authorities who were Jesus’ opponents. We are able to argue that the first Pharisee was one of Jesus’ Apostles was, Simon the Zealot (see one of my earlier studies: Who Is Simon the Pharisee?). The second, Nicodemus, was one of the rulers of the people at Jerusalem (John 3:1). Joseph of Arimathaea was a rich man, and, therefore, probably a Sadducee, but it isn’t said. Nevertheless, he had to have been either a Sadducee or a Pharisee, if he was a ruler of the Jews. Since the wealthy class numbered themselves with the Sadducees, Joseph was undoubtedly one of them Nevertheless, as I conclude above, these men were not among Jesus’ opponents. The scribe in Mark 12 is the only opponent of Jesus who openly agreed with what he said.
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