Matthew 22:37

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thou shalt love {G25} the Lord {G2962} thy {G4675} God {G2316} with {G1722} all {G3650} thy {G4675} heart {G2588}, and {G2532} with {G1722} all {G3650} thy {G4675} soul {G5590}, and {G2532} with {G1722} all {G3650} thy {G4675} mind {G1271}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He told him, "`You are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.'

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

American Standard Version

And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 22:37, Jesus delivers the "first and great commandment" in response to a lawyer's challenge, declaring that the paramount duty of humanity is to love the Lord God with every fiber of one's being: heart, soul, and mind. This profound statement, drawn from the foundational Old Testament text of the Shema, encapsulates the essence of divine expectation, calling for a holistic, undivided, and intellectual devotion to God as the wellspring from which all other commandments flow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration by Jesus occurs within a series of intense interrogations and challenges from various Jewish religious factions—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians—during His final week in Jerusalem. Following His parables of judgment and the question about paying taxes to Caesar, the Sadducees attempt to trap Him with a question about the resurrection. After silencing them, a lawyer, a Pharisee, steps forward to test Jesus with a question concerning the greatest commandment in the Law, as recorded in [Matthew 22:34-36](/matthew/22-34-36 "Matthew 22:34-36 - Jesus Silences the Sadducees and is Questioned by a Lawyer"). Jesus' response in [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandment") not only answers the lawyer definitively but also serves as a comprehensive summary of the entire Mosaic Law and the Prophets, demonstrating His mastery and profound understanding of God's will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' answer is a direct quotation from [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"), a verse central to Jewish identity and daily devotion, known as the *Shema* (from the Hebrew word "hear"). This passage was recited twice daily by devout Jews and served as a core affirmation of monotheism and the requirement for exclusive, total allegiance to Yahweh. By quoting this verse, Jesus affirms the continuity of His teaching with the Old Testament Law, while simultaneously revealing its deepest spiritual intent. The lawyer's question was not merely academic; it reflected ongoing rabbinic debates about the hierarchy of commandments, with some scholars identifying hundreds of individual laws. Jesus' concise and profound summary cut through these complex discussions, pointing to the foundational principle of love.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:37 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **supremacy of God** and the **priority of loving Him** above all else, establishing this as the foundational principle for all ethical and spiritual life. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **holistic devotion**, emphasizing that true love for God must engage every aspect of human existence—intellect, emotion, and will—as Jesus details in the comprehensive scope of "heart, soul, and mind." Thirdly, this verse, especially when paired with the command to love one's neighbor in [Matthew 22:39](/matthew/22-39 "Matthew 22:39 - The Second Great Commandment"), serves as a **summary of the Law and Prophets**, revealing that all divine commands ultimately flow from and are fulfilled by love, as Jesus explicitly states in [Matthew 22:40](/matthew/22-40 "Matthew 22:40 - Love Fulfills the Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** To love in a social or moral sense; to be beloved. This term denotes a volitional, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love, distinct from mere affection or emotional attachment. It is a love that seeks the highest good of the beloved, making it the perfect descriptor for humanity's relationship with God.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** The heart, figuratively the thoughts or feelings (mind); also by analogy, the middle. This refers to the inner core of a person—the seat of emotions, desires, will, and moral character. Loving God with all the heart means dedicating one's deepest affections, intentions, and moral compass entirely to Him.
* **mind (Greek, _diánoia'_):** Deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise. This term emphasizes the intellectual aspect of love for God, encompassing understanding, reasoning, and reflective thought. It signifies that devotion to God is not merely emotional or volitional, but also requires active engagement of one's intellect in knowing and understanding Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus said unto him,"**: This phrase sets the stage, identifying Jesus as the speaker and the lawyer as the recipient of this profound teaching. It highlights the authoritative nature of Jesus' response, not merely as a suggestion but as a divine pronouncement.
* **"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God"**: This is the imperative command, directly quoting from the *Shema* in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema"). It establishes the object of this supreme love—"the Lord thy God"—emphasizing His singular sovereignty and demanding exclusive devotion. The verb "shalt love" (agapáō) signifies a command for a deliberate, committed, and comprehensive love, not merely an emotion.
* **"with all thy heart,"**: This clause specifies the first dimension of this total love. "Heart" refers to the innermost being, the seat of one's will, emotions, and moral choices. It implies a love that is genuine, sincere, and deeply rooted in one's core identity, devoid of hypocrisy or half-heartedness.
* **"and with all thy soul,"**: This expands the scope of love to encompass one's entire life force, vitality, and individual personality. "Soul" (psychḗ) here denotes the very essence of one's existence, suggesting a love that permeates every aspect of one's living, breathing, and being, dedicating one's very life to God.
* **"and with all thy mind."**: This final clause, particularly emphasized in Matthew's account, includes the intellectual faculty. "Mind" (diánoia) refers to one's understanding, intellect, and reasoning capabilities. It calls for a thoughtful, reasoned, and informed love for God, engaging one's cognitive abilities to know, understand, and meditate upon His character, Word, and will. This ensures that love is not blind but is grounded in truth and understanding.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus' statement in Matthew 22:37 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Jesus directly cites [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"), thereby grounding His teaching in the established authority of the Old Testament Law. This act of quotation also functions as **Affirmation** and **Interpretation**, showing that He is not abolishing the Law but fulfilling and revealing its deepest spiritual meaning. The repeated use of "all thy" before "heart," "soul," and "mind" serves as a powerful form of **Emphasis** and **Anaphora**, underscoring the comprehensive and undivided nature of the demanded love. This repetition also creates a **Triadic Structure**, highlighting the three distinct yet interconnected facets of human being that must be fully engaged in loving God, ensuring a holistic and exhaustive devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:37 stands as a theological cornerstone, articulating God's primary demand for humanity: an exclusive and total devotion rooted in love. This commandment reveals the very nature of God, who desires not merely external obedience but a relationship of profound affection and commitment from the core of one's being. It establishes that genuine worship and righteous living flow from an inner disposition of love for the Creator. This holistic love for God is the wellspring from which all other aspects of Christian living, including loving one's neighbor, naturally flow, forming the foundation upon which the entire edifice of God's moral law rests.

* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema, Hear O Israel")
* [Mark 12:30](/mark/12-30 "Mark 12:30 - The Greatest Commandment in Mark")
* [Luke 10:27](/luke/10-27 "Luke 10:27 - The Lawyer's Answer to the Greatest Commandment")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:37 is a profound call to examine the depth and breadth of our love for God. It challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity or mere outward observance and to cultivate a genuine, all-encompassing devotion. Loving God with all our heart means allowing our emotions, desires, and will to be fully aligned with His. Loving Him with all our soul implies dedicating our very life force, our essence, and our entire existence to His glory. And loving Him with all our mind compels us to engage our intellect—to study His Word, to meditate on His character, to seek understanding of His ways, and to allow our thoughts to be captivated by Him. This verse calls for an integrated faith where every facet of our being is surrendered to and transformed by our love for God, leading to a truly holistic and vibrant spiritual life that impacts every decision and relationship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways do I demonstrate love for God with all my heart, soul, and mind in my daily life?**
* **Which aspect—heart, soul, or mind—do I find most challenging to fully dedicate to God, and why?**
* **How can I intentionally cultivate a deeper intellectual love for God, moving beyond emotional or habitual faith?**
* **If loving God is the "first and great commandment," how does this truth reorder my priorities and commitments?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus adding "mind" to the traditional Old Testament command?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word for "heart" (*levav*) in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema") often encompassed the intellect, Matthew's explicit inclusion of "mind" (Greek: *diánoia*) emphasizes the cognitive aspect of loving God. This highlights that Christian faith is not merely emotional or volitional but also requires thoughtful engagement, understanding, and intellectual devotion. It calls believers to use their reasoning abilities to know God, meditate on His Word, and understand His will, ensuring that their love is informed and robust.

**How does this commandment relate to the second great commandment to love one's neighbor?**

Answer: Jesus Himself connects these two commandments, stating in [Matthew 22:40](/matthew/22-40 "Matthew 22:40 - Love Fulfills the Law") that "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Loving God with all one's being is the foundational and primary command. True love for God naturally overflows into love for others, as it transforms one's character to reflect God's own loving nature. One cannot genuinely love God while neglecting their neighbor, nor can true love for neighbor exist apart from a foundational love for God. The second commandment is an outflow and practical demonstration of the first.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:37 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the only one who perfectly loved the Lord His God "with all His heart, and with all His soul, and with all His mind." His entire earthly life, from His unwavering obedience to the Father's will (as seen in [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do the Father's Will")) to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, was an expression of this complete and undivided love. Christ's perfect love for God enabled Him to perfectly fulfill the Law, becoming the righteous standard for humanity. Furthermore, through His atoning work, Jesus does not merely give us a command to follow, but He empowers us to fulfill it. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers are given a new heart and mind, enabling them to genuinely love God in a way that was impossible under the old covenant ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Christ is not only the perfect example of this love but also the divine enabler, making it possible for us to participate in this profound and holistic devotion to God, as we are conformed to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 12:29

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

Mark 12:30

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.

Luke 10:27

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Deuteronomy 6:5

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 10:12

¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

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.

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.