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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 22:40 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:40 is the conclusion of a discussion where Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees, who were trying to test him.

A lawyer asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment in the Law.

Jesus responded by summarizing the entire Torah with two commandments: to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37) and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39).

Jesus then states, "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

The literal meaning of the verse is that the entire Jewish Law, the commandments given to Moses, as well as the teachings of the prophets, can be encompassed by these two overarching principles of love.

The deeper meaning emphasizes the importance of love in relationship to God and others as the foundation of ethical and religious life.

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Historical Context

Matthew 22:40 sits within a section of the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus is teaching in the temple and engaging with various Jewish religious leaders.

This conversation is happening in a first-century Jewish context where the Law (Torah) was central to religious and communal life.

The Pharisees, a sect of Judaism at the time, actively debated the interpretation and application of the Law.

Jesus simplifies the complex Jewish legal system and prophetic teachings to two foundational commandments.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse emphasizes the interconnectedness of love for God and love for neighbor, suggesting that one cannot exist without the other. It has been interpreted to mean that practicing love fulfills the divine law because God's nature is love.

Many theologians argue that this distillation of the Law to the commandment of love represents the heart of Christian ethics.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Matthew 22:40 can encourage individuals to prioritize love in all their dealings, suggesting that when in doubt, the loving choice is the one that aligns with divine intent.

This means acting with compassion and kindness, seeking the well-being of others, and nurturing one's relationship with God.

Cross-References

[Matthew 22:37-39](/new-testament/matthew/22/37/what-does-matthew-22-37-mean): "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."

Romans 13:8-10: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
Galatians 5:14: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Language Study

The key term in the original Greek text of this verse is κρέμανται (krematai), which means “to hang” or “to depend.” Symbolically, it implies that the entire weight of the Law and the teachings of the prophets rests upon these two commandments of love.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other religious traditions, similar ethical imperatives exist, such as the "Golden Rule" present in many cultures and religions that counsel treating others as one would like to be treated.

For example, Confucianism teaches a version of this principle: "Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you."

Scientific Perspectives

The directive to act in love has psychological implications; studies on altruism and empathy show that loving behavior can lead to positive mental health outcomes for both the giver and recipient.

Neurological research has found that acts of love and kindness can release endorphins, promote social bonding, and decrease stress.

Commentaries

Commentators offer diverse insights into Matthew 22:40.

William Barclay highlights that Jesus' response was not new but rather an affirmation of what was already present in Jewish teachings.

R.T.

France emphasizes that love in this context is not simply a feeling but an attitude that leads to concrete actions.

Craig S.

Keener mentions that by placing love for God and neighbor at the heart of the law, Jesus challenged his contemporaries to live with a focus on internal disposition rather than mere external obedience.

Matthew 22

Matthew 22

What does Matthew 22:40 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 22:40 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?