In Mark 12:29, where Jesus quotes the Shema ("Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one"), the word "God" refers to the
God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the foundational monotheistic belief of Judaism, which Jesus, as a Jew, affirmed.
Here's a breakdown of what he likely meant by "God" in that context:
* The One and Only Divine Being: He affirmed that there is only one true God, not a pantheon of gods or a collection of divine entities.
* The Creator and Sustainer of the Universe: This God is responsible for creating everything and maintaining its existence.
* The Covenant God of Israel: This is the God who made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, promising to be their God and to give them the land of Canaan.
* The Lawgiver: This God gave the Law (Torah) to Moses on Mount Sinai, outlining the rules and principles for living a righteous life.
* The God of Justice and Mercy: This God is both just in punishing wrongdoing and merciful in forgiving those who repent.
* The God Worthy of Worship and Obedience: This God alone is worthy of being worshipped and obeyed.
It's important to note that within the context of Christian theology (which developed after Jesus's ministry), this understanding of God later evolved into the doctrine of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), without abandoning the core belief in one God. However, in Mark 12:29 itself, Jesus's statement is primarily understood as an affirmation of Jewish monotheism, specifically the God of the Hebrew scriptures.