Matthew 22:36
Matthew 22:36 in Multiple Translations
“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
Master, which is the chief rule in the law?
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
Master, which is ye great commandement in the Lawe?
'Teacher, which [is] the great command in the Law?'
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
“Teacher, which commandment in the laws that God gave Moses is the most important?”
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 22:36
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Matthew 22:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 22:36
Study Notes — Matthew 22:36
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 22:36 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 22:36
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 22:36
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 22:36
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
- Sermons on Matthew 22:36
Context — The Greatest Commandment
36“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”
37Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark 12:28–33 | Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” |
| 2 | Matthew 5:19–20 | So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. |
| 3 | Luke 11:42 | Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. |
| 4 | Matthew 23:23–24 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. |
| 5 | Matthew 15:6 | he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. |
| 6 | Hosea 8:12 | Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange. |
Matthew 22:36 Summary
This verse shows a Pharisee asking Jesus which commandment is the most important. Jesus will answer this question in the next verse, by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, which says we should love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This means that our love for God should be the most important thing in our lives, guiding everything we do, just like it says in Mark 12:30. By loving God in this way, we can show Him that we are truly committed to following Him and obeying His commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Pharisee's question in Matthew 22:36?
The Pharisee's question is significant because it shows that he is seeking to understand the most important aspect of God's Law, which is a theme that is also explored in other parts of the Bible, such as Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.
Is Jesus being tested by the Pharisee in this verse?
Yes, according to Matthew 22:35, the Pharisee is testing Jesus with a question, trying to see how He will respond to a complex inquiry about the Law, similar to the way the devil tested Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.
What can we learn from the Pharisee's approach to asking Jesus a question?
We can learn that it's essential to approach God and His Word with a humble and sincere heart, as encouraged in Psalm 119:10 and Proverbs 1:7, rather than trying to test or trick Him.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's teaching on the Law?
This verse is connected to the broader biblical theme of loving God and others, as seen in verses like Mark 12:30-31 and Romans 13:9, which emphasize the importance of obeying God's commands out of love for Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my love for God in my daily life, just like the greatest commandment teaches?
- How can I balance my desire to follow God's rules with the need to love Him and others from the heart, as Jesus teaches in this passage?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind to my relationships with others, such as my family and friends?
- What are some potential distractions or obstacles that might prevent me from keeping the greatest commandment, and how can I overcome them?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 22:36
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 22:36
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 22:36
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 22:36
Sermons on Matthew 22:36
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
K-048 One Thing You Lack by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the deep attachment and love we can have for animals, which may ultimately be a love of self. He emphasizes the need to cut the cord on this |
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Cost of Discipleship - Part 5 by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a young man who committed his life to Christ despite his mother and grandmother's disapproval. The young man expressed his deep lov |
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Cost of Discipleship - Part 7 by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of negative feedback guidance in missile technology as an analogy for following Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of committing |
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Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself - Part 1 by Carter Conlon | This sermon delves into the commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself, emphasizing the challenge of truly loving others when struggling with self-loathing or past failures. I |
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Finishing the Course - 08 Being a Nobody by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Job and how God allowed him to go through trials and humiliations because there was one fundamental thing wrong with him. Despite |
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Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pouring kindness and hope into the hearts of others. They explain that by sharing the truths of God with those around us, w |
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Don't Break God's Heart by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal testimony of studying the Bible for 45 years and how he recently acquired a device that allows him to listen to the Bible wherever h |




