Matthew 22:34-40 · Matthew

Great Commandment

A lawyer asks Jesus about the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus responds that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and the second is to love one's neighbor as oneself. He states that all the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

Summary

In this passage from Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus is engaged in a discussion with the Pharisees, a group of Jewish religious leaders. The setting is likely in Jerusalem during Jesus' ministry. The Pharisees, who often challenge Jesus, are present, and one of them, a lawyer, poses a question. The lawyer's intention is to test Jesus, asking him to identify the greatest commandment in the Jewish law (22:34-35).

Jesus responds directly to the lawyer's question. He states that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (22:37). Jesus then adds that the second commandment, which is similar in importance, is to love one's neighbor as oneself (22:39). He emphasizes that these two commandments are foundational, saying that all the law and the prophets depend on them (22:40).

The passage concludes with Jesus' summary of the significance of these commandments. He establishes that loving God and loving one's neighbor are central to the Jewish law. This declaration provides a concise and authoritative answer to the lawyer's question, highlighting the essential principles that underpin the religious teachings of the time.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Matthew 22:34-35

“Then one of them, a lawyer, asked, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”

B

Matthew 22:37-39

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

A'

Matthew 22:40

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Both A and A' involve questions about the law and commandments, with A introducing the question and A' concluding with the Pharisees gathered, setting the stage for further teaching.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The main conclusion of Matthew 22:34-40 is the establishment of two commandments as the foundation of Jewish law. Jesus, when questioned by a Pharisee, identifies the greatest commandment as loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (22:37). He quickly follows with a second commandment: to love one's neighbor as oneself (22:39). These commandments are not isolated; Jesus asserts that all the law and the prophets depend on these two principles (22:40). This response to the Pharisees not only answers their question but redefines the essence of religious duty and morality in a succinct and powerful way.

One mainstream interpretation, particularly within Catholicism, sees these commandments as a summary of the entire moral law. This perspective argues that Jesus is not introducing new commandments but rather encapsulating the essence of the Ten Commandments and broader moral teachings within these two imperatives. The focus on loving God and neighbor serves as the bedrock of Christian ethics, suggesting that all other commandments and teachings are extensions of these foundational principles. This reading emphasizes the importance of internalizing love as a guiding force for all actions, aligning with verse 40 where Jesus states that all laws hinge upon these two commandments.

A second interpretation, from the perspective of Rabbinic Judaism, emphasizes the centrality of these commandments within the Jewish tradition itself. This view acknowledges that Jesus is referring to well-established Jewish principles, emphasizing love for God and ethical treatment of others as core to Jewish law. Rabbinic tradition highlights that these commandments are not simply moral guidelines but encapsulate the relationship between human beings and God, as well as between individuals. The focus here is on the continuity and affirmation of Jewish ethical teachings rather than a reinterpretation or distillation of them, underscoring that Jesus is affirming what is already central in Jewish thought.

Together, these interpretations highlight the dual emphasis on love for God and neighbor as essential elements of both Jewish and Christian traditions. Understanding this passage requires recognizing its dual role: reaffirming existing Jewish principles while also laying a foundation for Christian moral teaching. The passage speaks to a universal ethic that transcends specific religious boundaries, advocating for a life centered on genuine love and relational integrity. This dual focus suggests that the commandments are not merely legalistic requirements but are meant to cultivate a transformative love that defines and guides the believer's life.

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