Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question. (Mark 12: 32-34)

Luke's account is much more suspicious of the scribes. (Luke 20:39). Matthew is antagonistic. (Matthew 22:35) But in this earliest gospel Jesus extends an extraordinary blessing to this otherwise obscure lawyer.

This is the same author who has given us so many unflattering reports of the Twelve, including Jesus telling Peter to "get behind me Satan." In contrast Jesus discerns that this lawyer is close to the reign of God.

The little children are also close. On the cross Jesus promises one other that he will join him this day in paradise. Who else has Jesus recognized as being so close to the full experience of ultimate reality?

Mark tells us Jesus perceived that the man has answered - the Greek is apokrinomai - wisely or more literally in full possession of his mind. Apokrinonmai is almost always translated as answer or respond. But it suggests a discreetly targeted response.

The scribe's response suggests his question was authentic, that he had listened carefully to the answer, and then he extended the answer with a new insight. He comments that observing these core commandments is much more important than the sacrificial rituals which characterize formal religious practice.

This was a knowledgeable man. But knowledge is no guarantee of wisdom. In this case the man asked honestly, listened openly, and then creatively applied what he heard. Jesus seems to say that this is an effective way to God.