Matthew 22:36

Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?

Master {G1320}, which {G4169} is the great {G3173} commandment {G1785} in {G1722} the law {G3551}?

"Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?"

“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?

In Matthew 22:36, a lawyer, an expert in the Mosaic Law, poses a critical question to Jesus: "Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?" This inquiry comes amidst a series of attempts by religious leaders to trap Jesus with difficult theological and political questions, aiming to discredit Him before the people.

Context

This verse is set in Jerusalem during Jesus' final week before His crucifixion, a period marked by intense scrutiny and opposition from the Jewish religious authorities. After Jesus silenced the Sadducees regarding the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33), a Pharisee, described as a lawyer, steps forward with this question. The Jewish Law, or Torah, contained 613 commandments, and debates among rabbis about which was the most important were common. This particular question was likely intended to test Jesus' understanding of the Law's priorities or to elicit an answer that could be used against Him, potentially by having Him elevate one command over another in a way that might offend a particular school of thought.

Key Themes

  • The Essence of the Law: The lawyer's question seeks to distill the vast complexity of God's commands into a singular, overarching principle. This reflects a human desire to understand the core of divine expectation.
  • Prioritizing God's Will: The very act of asking "which is the great commandment" highlights the importance of discerning God's primary will and purpose for humanity within the framework of His revealed law.
  • Testing Jesus' Authority: While framed as a theological inquiry, the underlying motive was often to challenge Jesus' wisdom and divine authority, seeing if He would align with traditional rabbinic views or offer a unique, potentially controversial, interpretation.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Master" (Greek: Didaskalos) means 'Teacher'. While seemingly respectful, in this context, it may have been used by the lawyer to set up a challenge for Jesus, as one teacher to another. The word "commandment" (Greek: entolē) refers to a divine injunction or ordinance, emphasizing its origin and authority. "Law" (Greek: nomos) specifically refers to the Mosaic Law, the foundational legal and moral code given to Israel through Moses.

Related Scriptures

Jesus' profound answer to this question, found in the subsequent verses, reveals the heart of God's Law. He identifies the greatest commandment as loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, drawn from Deuteronomy 6:5. He then adds a second, equally important commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself, sourced from Leviticus 19:18. Jesus concludes by stating that "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets," highlighting their foundational importance. Parallel accounts of this interaction can be found in Mark 12:28-34 and Luke 10:25-28. The Apostle Paul later reiterates this truth, stating that love is the fulfilling of the law.

Reflection and Application

The lawyer's question, though perhaps intended to trick Jesus, provides an invaluable opportunity for us to understand the core of God's expectations. It prompts us to consider what truly matters in our faith and practice. Instead of getting bogged down in countless rules, Jesus directs us to the spirit of the Law: an all-encompassing love for God and a genuine love for our fellow human beings. This focus on love simplifies and unifies our understanding of obedience, reminding us that true righteousness flows from a heart devoted to God and compassionate towards others. This principle remains central to Christian living today, guiding our actions and priorities.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 12:28

    ¶ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

  • Mark 12:33

    And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

  • Matthew 5:19

    Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

  • Matthew 5:20

    For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  • Luke 11:42

    But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

  • Matthew 23:23

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

  • Matthew 23:24

    [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

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