What does Matthew 22:37 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:37 is a verse in the Christian New Testament where Jesus is instructing His listeners about the greatest commandment in the Law.

When asked by a lawyer which commandment in the law is the greatest, Jesus responds by citing Deuteronomy 6:5, emphasizing that the most important duty for a believer is to love God completely.

Jesus intentionally summarizes the whole of the Law given to Moses into this primary command.

The call to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind encapsulates a total commitment, encompassing emotional, spiritual, and intellectual devotion to God.

This is not just a religious sentiment, but a call to put God first in all aspects of one's life.

Historical Context

This verse is part of a dialogue that took place during the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry, commonly known as Passion Week.

The setting is Jerusalem where Jesus was teaching in the temple courts.

At this time, various Jewish religious leaders were challenging Him, trying to trap Him with difficult questions to undermine His teaching and authority.

The Pharisees, one sect of Jewish leaders, had a legalistic approach to religion and had developed elaborate traditions that went beyond the written Law of Moses.

By citing Deuteronomy 6:5, Jesus was pointing back to the heart of the Mosaic Law, above human traditions, and reminding His listeners of their primary obligation to God.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Matthew 22:37 is foundational to Christian ethics.

Scholars note that this commandment to love God fully is central to the understanding of Christian worship, service, and the heart's orientation towards God. It implies that adherence to rules and rituals is secondary to the relational aspect of faith, our love for God.

Traditionally, in Christian theology, this verse reminds us that all the Law and the Prophets hang on this commandment and its companion (loving one's neighbor), which Jesus states in verse 39.

In addition, different denominations have nuanced takes on this verse.

For example, Catholic theology often ties it to the virtue of charity, the selfless love of God, and sees it as inseparable from acts of mercy and love towards others.

Protestant theology emphasizes faith's primacy but sees this love command as evidence of genuine faith.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Matthew 22:37 can be a guide for personal devotion, indicating that believers should prioritize their relationship with God in every aspect of their lives.

It underscores the importance of seeking a sincere heart condition, nurturing one's spirituality, and ensuring that intellectual pursuits are also linked to the pursuit of understanding and loving God.

It serves as a reminder to evaluate one's affections and loyalties, ensuring they are properly aligned with a wholehearted love for God.

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."
• Matthew 22:39 - "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
• Mark 12:30 - "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
• Luke 10:27 - "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key words are "καρδίᾳ" (kardia) meaning "heart", "ψυχή" (psyche) meaning "soul", and "διανοίᾳ" (dianoia) meaning "mind".

"Kardia" signifies the center of physical and spiritual life, encompassing the thoughts and passions.

"Psyche" refers to the life or self, often associated with vitality and personal feeling.

"Dianoia" conveys the intellectual faculty or understanding.

Hence, the command is to love God with every part of one's being, emotion, will, and thought.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This command to love God is also found in the Jewish Shema, a central prayer in Judaism coming from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, indicating the shared heritage of Christianity and Judaism.

In comparison, other ancient religions and myths often emphasized the appeasement of gods through sacrifices and rites rather than love.

In contrast to the relational focus of this commandment in the Bible, many ancient religions viewed gods as distant and requiring propitiation through specific actions, rather than personal, loving relationships with worshippers.

Scientific Perspectives

Science primarily deals with empirical observations and does not typically address the metaphysical concept of loving God.

However, the scientific study of psychology does explore the human capacity for love, emotional connection, and commitment, which can be tangentially relevant to this verse.

Neuroscientific research has begun to explore how spiritual experiences and practices may alter the neural pathways in the brain, potentially shedding light on how love for God could affect an individual's mental processes.

Commentaries

Commentators often reflect on this verse as encapsulating the essence of the Judeo-Christian moral framework.

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes that this love for God must be sincere, not in word or tongue only.

It must be immensely vigorous and fervent, and must be the chief, leading affection, setting the tone for all other loves.

John Calvin's Commentary suggests that this passage teaches us that God's law was not given merely to exercise our memory without profit, but to instruct us in righteousness, godliness, and the fear of the Lord.

Other modern commentaries continue to highlight the importance of this verse as the summation of the law and the prophetic teachings, advocating for a full and undivided commitment to God as central to Christian life and practice.