Bible / Mark

Mark 12

World English Bible, Catholic edition, in plain modern English. About the translations

1 He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.

2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

3 They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.

4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.

5 Again he sent another, and they killed him, and many others, beating some, and killing some.

6 Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7 But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

8 They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.

10 Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.

11 This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him and went away.

13 They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words.

14 When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

15 Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”

16 They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

17 Jesus answered them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him. CCC

18 Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying,

19 “Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’

20 There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

21 The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;

22 and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.

23 In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife.”

24 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God? CCC

25 For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. CCC

26 But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.” CCC

28 One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” CCC

29 Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 1 CCC

30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. CCC · Fathers

31 The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” CCC

32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he; CCC

33 and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” CCC

34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that. CCC

35 Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? CCC

36 For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’ CCC

37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly. CCC

38 In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces, CCC

39 and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts, CCC

40 those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” CCC

41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. CCC

42 A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. CCC

43 He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, CCC

44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.” CCC

Where our lessons quote this chapter

  1. Verses 29–30: One God, not three

This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church

Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text.

  1. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 450 “From the beginning of Christian history, the assertion of Christ's lordship over the world and over history has implicitly recognized that man…”
  2. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 993 “The Pharisees and many of the Lord's contemporaries hoped for the resurrection. Jesus teaches it firmly. To the Sadducees who deny it…”
  3. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 1619 “Virginity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven is an unfolding of baptismal grace, a powerful sign of the supremacy of…”
  4. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 993 “The Pharisees and many of the Lord's contemporaries hoped for the resurrection. Jesus teaches it firmly. To the Sadducees who deny it…”
  5. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
  6. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 202 “Jesus himself affirms that God is "the one Lord" whom you must love "with all your heart, and with all your soul,…”
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
    • CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
    • CCC 129 “Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of…”
  7. Read the Catechism and Fathers
    • CCC 202 “Jesus himself affirms that God is "the one Lord" whom you must love "with all your heart, and with all your soul,…”
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
    • CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
    • CCC 129 “Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of…”
    • “… evil." And that we ought to worship God alone, He thus persuaded us: "The greatest commandment is, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall thou serve, with all thy heart, and with all thy strength, the Lord God that made thee.”

      Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter XVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1

  8. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
    • CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
    • CCC 129 “Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of…”
  9. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
  10. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
  11. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
  12. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 202 “Jesus himself affirms that God is "the one Lord" whom you must love "with all your heart, and with all your soul,…”
  13. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 202 “Jesus himself affirms that God is "the one Lord" whom you must love "with all your heart, and with all your soul,…”
  14. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 202 “Jesus himself affirms that God is "the one Lord" whom you must love "with all your heart, and with all your soul,…”
  15. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
  16. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
  17. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
  18. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 2444 “The Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the…”
  19. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 2444 “The Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the…”
  20. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 2444 “The Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the…”
  21. Read the Catechism
    • CCC 2444 “The Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the…”