Obey the Two Greatest Commandments: A Study of Matthew 22:36–39

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In Matthew 22:36–39, Jesus identifies the greatest commandments in the Law, summarizing the entire ethical and spiritual duty of mankind. This passage is foundational for understanding the essence of faithful devotion under the new covenant. It frames all human obligation toward God and others, not through exhaustive regulation but through relational love. Jesus’ answer silences His critics and exposes the heart of divine instruction, rooted in the Shema and Leviticus. The following exposition will examine this critical exchange with theological depth, historical context, and practical application.

The Setting: A Test of Authority and Knowledge

Matthew 22 records a series of confrontations between Jesus and various Jewish sects—Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes—who attempt to entrap Him through questions meant to discredit His teaching. Following Jesus’ refutation of the Sadducees regarding the resurrection (Matthew 22:23–33), a Pharisee, described as a lawyer (νομικός, nomikos), poses a question: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” (verse 36).

The lawyer’s question is not simply academic. Rabbinic Judaism had identified 613 commandments in the Torah—248 positive and 365 negative. Debates raged over which laws were weightier and which were lighter, and whether some principles could summarize the whole. Jesus’ answer, therefore, is not a dismissal of the Law but a distillation of its core.

Jesus’ Answer: Love for God and Neighbor

Jesus responds in verses 37–39:

“‘You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The first part of His answer quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, known as the Shema, the centerpiece of Jewish faith and devotion: “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one. You shall love Jehovah your God…” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5). This command was recited daily by faithful Jews and encapsulated their exclusive devotion to Jehovah.

The second command, from Leviticus 19:18, reinforces the ethical outworking of love: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” By pairing these two commandments, Jesus affirms that love is both vertical (toward God) and horizontal (toward man). These are not distinct duties but integrated expressions of a transformed life.

Love for God: The Supreme Devotion

Jesus emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this love: “with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In Hebrew thought, the “heart” (לֵב, lev) represents the inner self—desires, will, and intentions. The “soul” (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) signifies the entire life or being. The “mind” (διάνοια, dianoia) includes understanding, rational thought, and meditation. This triplet denotes total allegiance—nothing is left outside the scope of this love.

True love for God is not emotionalism or sentimentality; it is loyal obedience springing from reverent awe. Jesus states in John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” To love Jehovah is to prize Him supremely, to align one’s will with His, and to treasure His Word above all else (cf. Psalm 119:97, 127).

Love for Neighbor: The Visible Manifestation

Jesus then declares, “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The phrase “like it” (ὁμοία αὐτῇ, homoia autēi) means this command is of the same nature or kind. While love for God is first in order and supremacy, love for neighbor cannot be separated from it. The apostle John confirms this: “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).

Loving one’s neighbor as oneself does not presuppose self-love as a virtue, but as a given. All humans naturally care for their needs and interests. Jesus redirects that concern outward. The command encompasses active benevolence, justice, compassion, and truthfulness (cf. Romans 13:8–10; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). It does not reduce to tolerance or affirmation of all behavior but requires seeking the highest good for others in accordance with God’s will.

Theological Implications: Law, Grace, and Fulfillment

Jesus concludes in Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” The verb “depend” (κρέμανται, kremantai) means “hang” or “suspend.” Just as a door hangs on its hinges, so the entire Old Testament moral teaching hangs on these two commands. They are not replacements for the Law but the heart behind it. Every statute and ordinance finds its purpose in love for God or neighbor.

Paul affirms this in Romans 13:9–10: “The commandments… are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Similarly, Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:17 that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.

Yet, it is critical to observe that this love is not innate to fallen man. Romans 3:10–12 affirms, “None is righteous… no one seeks for God… no one does good.” Thus, this love must be produced by regeneration and sanctification through the Spirit and the Word (cf. Galatians 5:22; 1 Peter 1:22). It is not mere emotional affection but covenantal loyalty and Christlike self-sacrifice.

Practical Application: Living the Two Greatest Commandments

To obey these two commands is to live in the fullness of Christian duty:

Worship God Supremely: Prioritize God above all else—in time, affection, resources, and decisions. Worship must be rooted in truth and expressed through holy living (Romans 12:1–2).
Pursue Scriptural Knowledge: Loving God with the mind requires studying His Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and rejecting false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). Theology fuels devotion.
Serve Others Sacrificially: Love for neighbor is seen in hospitality, mercy, patience, and truth. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) embodies this principle, crossing cultural and personal boundaries to aid the suffering.
Reject Selfishness and Pride: Philippians 2:3 exhorts believers, “Do nothing from selfish ambition… but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Practice Forgiveness and Reconciliation: As God forgave in Christ, so must believers forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32). Love does not harbor resentment or seek revenge.

Christ as the Embodiment of Both Commands

Ultimately, Jesus Himself fulfills both commandments perfectly. He loved Jehovah His Father with unbroken obedience (John 8:29), and He loved humanity to the point of death (John 15:13). His incarnation, ministry, and atonement reveal divine love in action (Romans 5:8).

Therefore, obedience to these two commandments is not merely moralism but conformity to Christ. As Paul writes, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1–2).

Conclusion: The Weight of Love

Matthew 22:36–39 captures the entire thrust of divine revelation in two commands: love God wholly and love others rightly. These are not lightweight exhortations but the axis upon which all spiritual life turns. They expose human sin, reveal the need for grace, and direct the regenerate heart toward true worship and holy living.

The believer who obeys these commandments walks in the path of Christ, fulfills the law, and bears witness to a watching world. As the end draws near, and as lawlessness increases, “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). Yet the faithful must persevere, keeping these commandments not as legal burdens, but as the joyous expression of a heart transformed by the gospel.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).