Meaning of Matthew 22:36

This question posed by a Pharisee to Jesus is not merely a theological inquiry but a strategic test designed to trap Jesus. The Pharisees were known for their meticulous adherence to the Law of Moses, which comprised 613 commandments, and they often debated which among them held the highest importance. By asking Jesus to identify the "greatest" commandment, they hoped to force him into a position where he might contradict established rabbinic interpretations, or perhaps, by selecting one, alienate those who prioritized others. The question probes the essence of the Law, seeking a singular principle that undergirds all others, reflecting a common desire within religious traditions to distill complex legal and ethical systems into their most fundamental tenets. Jesus' response, however, transcends their manipulative intent, revealing a profound understanding of the Law's ultimate purpose and its unified core.

Context and Background

The encounter takes place in Jerusalem during Jesus' final week before his crucifixion, a period marked by intense opposition from various Jewish religious factions, including the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus had recently cleansed the Temple and engaged in several public debates, asserting his authority and challenging the religious establishment. This specific question about the greatest commandment is the second of three such tests presented to him by the Pharisees and their allies in Matthew 22, following the questions about taxes to Caesar and the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees, as legal experts, were keenly interested in the hierarchy of divine commandments, and their attempts to corner Jesus often stemmed from a desire to discredit his teachings and authority in the eyes of the populace.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is the primacy of love as the foundational principle of God's Law. Jesus, in his answer, synthesizes two commandments from the Old Testament: the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5) and a command from Leviticus (19:18). This synthesis highlights that the entire Law and the Prophets, the entirety of divine revelation, are not a burden of arbitrary rules, but are expressions of a unified call to love God and love one's neighbor. The message is that genuine obedience to God is not a matter of outward ritual or legalistic observance alone, but originates from a heart transformed by love, directed first towards God and then outward towards humanity.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse points to the transformative power of love as the guiding principle for a life lived in accordance with God's will. For believers, it means reorienting their understanding of religious duty. Instead of focusing on accumulating a long list of good deeds or adhering strictly to complex regulations, the emphasis shifts to cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God and extending genuine care and compassion to others. This principle serves as a diagnostic tool for one's spiritual life: if love for God and neighbor is absent or deficient, then even seemingly pious actions may be hollow. It calls for a constant self-examination and a conscious effort to live out these two great commandments in daily life, in both our private devotion and our public interactions.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal moment in Jesus' teaching, providing a concise summary of the Old Testament's ethical and theological core. It demonstrates Jesus' authority as a teacher who can discern the deepest meaning of scripture. His response aligns with the overarching narrative of redemption, which is rooted in God's love for humanity (John 3:16) and calls for a reciprocal love from humanity towards God and fellow humans. The New Testament's emphasis on the "law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) is fundamentally this law of love, which fulfills the spirit, if not the letter, of the Mosaic Law. It sets the stage for the New Covenant, where love is inscribed on believers' hearts by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to fulfill God's commands.

Analogies

One analogy for the greatest commandments is that of the root and branches of a tree. God is the root, and our love for Him is the primary connection, drawing life and nourishment. Love for neighbor is the essential branches and leaves, bearing the fruit of our relationship with God and sustaining others. Without the root, the branches wither; without the branches, the tree cannot fulfill its purpose. Another analogy is that of a compass and map. The love for God is the compass, pointing us in the ultimate direction. Love for neighbor is the map, guiding us through the terrain of life with practical instructions on how to navigate relationships and serve others.

Relation to Other Verses

Jesus' response directly quotes and synthesizes Deuteronomy 6:5 ("You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might") and Leviticus 19:18 ("You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord"). This connection underscores the unity of the Old Testament Law. Furthermore, Jesus' teaching here is echoed in other New Testament writings. Paul, in Romans 13:8-10, states, "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law... Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." John, in 1 John 4:7-8, writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." These passages collectively affirm that love, both for God and for humanity, is the supreme principle that encapsulates and fulfills all righteous living.