What does Matthew 22:36 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:36 features a question posed to Jesus by a Pharisee who is also described as a lawyer (an expert in the Mosaic Law), during a period of testing by the Jewish religious leaders.

They aim to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against Him.

The question asked, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" seeks to ascertain which of the commandments Jesus considers the most important.

This query is profound because it challenges Jesus to distill the essence of the extensive Mosaic Law into a singular principle.

Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, emphasizing love for God as the greatest commandment and follows it up with "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" from Leviticus 19:18, thus summarizing the entire law into two commandments about love.

Historical Context

The question occurs in the context of a series of confrontational exchanges between Jesus and various groups of Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem.

The dialogues occur during the week of the Passover leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.

During this period, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other groups challenge Jesus' teachings and authority.

In Jewish society at the time, the Law of Moses was central to religious, social, and personal life.

The Law comprised numerous commandments (over 600), which were meant to guide the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God.

The Pharisees, in particular, were known for their strict interpretation of the Law and their additions of human traditions.

Theological Insights

This verse presents a critical theological insight into the nature and priority of God's commandments. According to Jesus, the most important command to love God consumes a person's entire being, their heart, soul, and mind.

Different theological viewpoints might emphasize various aspects of this commandment:

• Traditional Christianity sees this as a call to wholehearted devotion and worship of God, affirming the Old Testament's emphasis on a personal, loving relationship with God.
• Liberation theology might interpret this commandment as a mandate for social justice since true love for God manifests in actions toward the oppressed and marginalized.
• Progressive Christian theology may focus on the inclusive nature of love that Jesus showcases, applying it broadly to issues of tolerance and acceptance in society.

Practical Applications

The great commandment offers profound practical implications for personal and communal life:

• It fosters a comprehensive approach to spirituality that involves emotions (heart), intellect (mind), and identity (soul).
• It encourages prioritizing relationships and love, both vertically with God and horizontally with others.
• It also encourages ethical living with an altruistic focus, helping to shape moral decision-making that values love as the highest principle.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 6:5: "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
• Leviticus 19:18: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
• Matthew 22:37-40: "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 neighbor as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

• Romans 13:9: "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Language Study

The key words in the original language (Koine Greek) are critical in understanding the depth of the commandment:

• "Master" (Διδάσκαλε, Didaskale): A term of respect, acknowledging Jesus' authority as a teacher.
• "Great" (μεγάλη, megale): Signifies magnitude or importance.

When applied to "commandment" (ἐντολὴ, entole), it distinguishes the greatest from all other commandments.

• "Law" (νόμος, nomos): Refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which contains God's commandments to Israel.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a singular greatest commandment is unique within the religious texts of the time, as many ancient legal systems and religious codes composed a complex list of dos and don'ts.

However, the idea of love as central to religious observance was not unique to Judaism; various other ancient philosophies and religions also promoted love or benevolence as an essential virtue.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse may not directly link with scientific perspectives; however, modern psychology supports the notion that principles like love and positive relationships are fundamental to human well-being.

Neuroscience research also suggests that altruistic behavior, such as loving others, activates regions of the brain associated with reward and pleasure.

Commentaries

Experts have addressed this Bible verse in various ways:

• Classical commentators like John Calvin saw this verse as an affirmation of the inseparability of love for God and love for neighbor; one cannot truly exist without the other.
• Contemporary theologians such as N.T.

Wright emphasize how Jesus sums up the Jewish law in a way that is both faithful to Jewish tradition and revolutionary in its simplicity and focus on love.

• Other scholars note how Jesus' response challenges the tendency to prioritize ritual observance over ethical considerations, turning religious leaders' expectations on their head.