What Does Mark 12:32 Mean in the King James?

And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

Mark 12:32 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Truth gathers every claim to ultimacy into one: God is one, and no other stands beside him.

THE MEANING

You meet a truth that leaves no rival beside God: there is one God, and no other. The scribe’s answer shows recognition happening in the conversation as he names what is true.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that ultimate power is divided among rival gods: the scribe names one God, with none beside him.

THE ROOT

ἀλήθεια

alētheia

GROWS FROM

⁨ληθ-⁩/⁨λαθ-⁩ (lēth-/lath-)

A word family associated with being hidden or escaping notice; alētheia is often understood as what is unhidden.

The Greek word for truth carries an echo of what is hidden or slips from notice. The scribe recognizes what stands openly before him: one God, with no other beside him.

ALSO GROWS

lanthanō: Escape notice; be hidden.

λανθάνω

This family link gives truth an added sense of what is no longer concealed.

lēthē: Forgetfulness; oblivion.

λήθη

Its association with what slips from awareness helps show the hiddenness that truth brings into view.

alēthēs: True; truthful.

ἀληθής

This related form describes what is true, carrying the same word-family echo of what is unhidden.

THE PATTERN

Scripture gathers divine authority into one God, with no rival beside him.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Deuteronomy 6:4 · KJVThe Shema names the same oneness the scribe affirms.

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

Isaiah 45:5 · KJVThe declaration leaves no other god beside the LORD.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2:19 · KJVThe verse repeats the confession of one God and shows that naming it is not the same as living its weight.

THE THREAD

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Deuteronomy 6:4 · KJV

The scribe’s answer opens onto the Shema: the LORD our God is one LORD. Its Hebrew word ⁨אֶחָד⁩ (echad, one) is the confession’s word for God’s oneness.

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