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Matthew 22

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

And last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

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.

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

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

What does Matthew 22:38 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 22:38, "This is the first and great commandment," is part of a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee who is also a lawyer.

The man asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment in the Law.

In the preceding verse, Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, stating, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." By referring to this as the first and great commandment, Jesus emphasizes the supreme importance of loving God completely as the foundation of all other commandments.

The literal meaning is clear; it is a direct instruction to prioritize the love of God above all else.

The deeper significance implies that a genuine relationship with God, characterized by love, is the core of all religious and moral obligations.

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Historical Context

Matthew 22:38 is situated in the context of Jesus' ministry in Judea, during a period of heightened tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time, including Pharisees and Sadducees.

During this interaction, Jesus is being tested by these leaders who are trying to trap him with difficult questions.

This verse is part of a larger discourse that includes several parables and direct confrontations between Jesus and these Jewish religious leaders.

The legal expert's question about the greatest commandment was likely an attempt to challenge or discredit Jesus' teachings, as rabbis often debated the relative importance of the 613 commandments found in the Mosaic Law.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is foundational to Christian ethics and understanding of the Law. There are at least three key insights:

Primacy of Love: It highlights the primary importance of love in the Christian faith, specifically love directed towards God. 2.

Fulfillment of the Law: In Romans 13:10, Paul writes that "love is the fulfilling of the law," suggesting that all commandments are grounded in love and are fulfilled through it. 3.

Relationship over Ritual: The emphasis on loving God with all one's being suggests that a personal and intimate relationship with God is more important than mere ritual compliance or external observance.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this teaching can be applied in several ways:

Prioritizing Spiritual Life: Individuals are encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God above all other pursuits. 2.

Making Decisions: Love for God can guide ethical and moral decisions. 3.

Love in Action: This commandment can inspire acts of compassion and service, as love for God is expressed through love for others.

Cross-References

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."
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."
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 neighbour as thyself."
Romans 13:10 – "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

Language Study

The key word in this verse is "first" (Greek: πρώτη, protē), meaning foremost in time, place, order, or importance. In this context, it denotes the primary or most important commandment.

"Great" (Greek: μεγάλη, megalē) in this passage means large, figuratively significant. It underscores the weight and significance of this commandment above others.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Judaism, the Shema (found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5) is a central prayer that emphasizes the unity of God and includes the command to love God with all one's being.

It is recited daily by observant Jews. In other ancient religions, such an explicit and overarching command to love a deity with one's entire being is less common, though many religions emphasize devotion and piety toward gods or a higher power.

Scientific Perspectives

While the commandment to love God does not directly intersect with scientific inquiry, the study of neuroscience and psychology has explored the nature of love, compassion, and human relationships, which could shed light on the human capacity for profound love and commitment and their effects on well-being.

commentaries

Various biblical commentaries offer insights into this verse:

The Matthew Henry Commentary highlights the comprehensiveness of this commandment, indicating that it encompasses the whole of man and all his faculties. 2.

The Pulpit Commentary states that the love of God is to be unrivaled and supreme, admitting no rival nor second. 3.

The Expositor's Greek Testament emphasizes the legal expert's challenge and Jesus' response that elevates the inner spirit of the Law above legalistic interpretations. 4.

John Calvin, in his Commentary on Matthew, suggests that our whole life should be a continuous meditation upon God's commandments in which love should be the foundation.

Matthew 22

Matthew 22

What does Matthew 22:38 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 22:38 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?