Matthew 22:37

Commentary on Matthew 22:37

In this pivotal verse, Jesus delivers what He identifies as the "first and great commandment." This declaration comes in response to a lawyer (or scribe) who sought to test Him by asking about the greatest commandment in the Law (Matthew 22:36).

Context

This exchange occurs during Jesus' final days in Jerusalem, a period marked by intense questioning and challenges from religious leaders like the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their aim was often to trap Him in His words. Jesus' answer here is not new teaching but a profound affirmation of a central truth from the Old Testament, specifically from the *Shema* found in Deuteronomy 6:5. By quoting this foundational text, Jesus demonstrated His continuity with the Law while also revealing its deepest spiritual essence.

Key Themes and Messages

• Supreme Love for God: The verse unequivocally establishes that loving God is the highest priority for humanity. It is not merely one commandment among many, but the very foundation upon which all other commandments rest.
• Holistic Devotion: Jesus emphasizes that this love must encompass every facet of a person's being:
  • Heart: Refers to the inner core of a person – the emotions, desires, will, and moral compass. It signifies genuine affection and commitment.
  • Soul: Pertains to one's life, personality, and very essence. It means dedicating one's entire existence and vitality to God.
  • Mind: This inclusion, more explicit in Matthew's account (compared to "strength" in Mark and Luke's parallels and the Septuagint of Deuteronomy), highlights the intellectual aspect of faith. It calls for thoughtful understanding, meditation, and a reasoned devotion to God.
• Foundation of the Law: As Jesus further explains in Matthew 22:40, this commandment, along with the second (to love one's neighbor), summarizes "all the Law and the Prophets." This signifies that true obedience flows from a heart of love.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "heart" (*levav*) in Deuteronomy 6:5 encompasses the whole inner person, including intellect and will. The Greek words used here further elaborate:

• Kardia (heart): The seat of emotions, will, and thought.
• Psyche (soul): The life-force, self, and individual personality.
• Dianoia (mind): The faculty of understanding, intellect, and reasoning. This specific choice by Jesus in Matthew underscores the importance of actively engaging one's thoughts and intellect in loving God, not just emotions or actions.

Practical Application

Matthew 22:37 challenges believers to examine the depth and breadth of their love for God. It's a call to:

• Unreserved Devotion: To hold nothing back from God, dedicating every part of one's being to Him.
• Intellectual Engagement: To actively seek to know God through His Word and creation, using one's mind to understand His character and will.
• Integrated Faith: To live a life where love for God is the driving force behind thoughts, feelings, and actions, leading to a truly holistic spiritual life. This holistic love for God is the wellspring from which all other aspects of Christian living, including loving your neighbor, flow naturally.