Matthew 22:39

KJV

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the second {G1208} is like {G3664} unto it {G846}{G3778}, Thou shalt love {G25} thy {G4675} neighbour {G4139} as {G5613} thyself {G4572}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And a second is similar to it, `You are to love your neighbor as yourself.'

Berean Standard Bible

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

American Standard Version

And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:39 presents the second of Jesus' two greatest commandments, declaring that one must "love thy neighbour as thyself." This profound statement, delivered in the temple courts amidst challenges from religious leaders, immediately follows the command to love God supremely. It serves as a foundational principle, revealing that genuine devotion to God is inextricably linked to compassionate and active love for fellow human beings, providing a practical measure for ethical conduct and summarizing the essence of the Mosaic Law and the Prophets.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the crucial second half of Jesus' response to a lawyer's question, "Which is the great commandment in the law?" [Matthew 22:36](/matthew/22-36 "Matthew 22:36 - The Great Commandment"). Jesus first declares that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind [Matthew 22:37-38](/matthew/22-37-38 "Matthew 22:37-38 - The First Great Commandment"), drawing from Deuteronomy 6:5. Immediately, He adds this second commandment, emphasizing its likeness and equal importance. This exchange occurs during a period of intense questioning and opposition from the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Jerusalem temple, just days before His crucifixion, showcasing His divine wisdom and authority in distilling the entirety of the Law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Temple courts in Jerusalem during Passover week, a time of heightened religious and political tension. Jewish society at the time was deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, with various schools of thought debating the relative importance of its 613 commandments. The question posed to Jesus was a common rabbinic debate, designed to test His theological acumen. Jesus' answer, by linking the love of God with the love of neighbor, draws from both Deuteronomy and Leviticus, demonstrating a profound understanding that transcends the mere letter of the Law, emphasizing its spiritual intent and holistic application.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It highlights the **summation of the Law**, as Jesus explicitly states that "on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" [Matthew 22:40](/matthew/22-40 "Matthew 22:40 - The Summation of the Law"). It underscores the **holistic nature of true piety**, demonstrating that love for God is incomplete without corresponding love for humanity. Furthermore, it establishes **love as the supreme ethic**, presenting it not merely as an emotion but as an active, volitional commitment that defines the believer's relationship with God and neighbor. This principle is foundational to Christian discipleship and ethical living, echoing themes found throughout [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount") and Jesus' teachings on righteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** From G25, this verb refers to a volitional, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love that seeks the highest good of the other, distinct from mere affection or emotional desire (phileo). It is a love that reflects God's own character and is expressed through deliberate action and commitment, prioritizing the well-being of the beloved.
* **neighbour (Greek, _plēsíon'_):** From G4139, this noun literally means "one near" or "close by." While in the Old Testament context it often referred to fellow Israelites, Jesus famously expanded its scope in the parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:29-37](/luke/10-29-37 "Luke 10:29-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), indicating that one's neighbor is anyone in need whom one encounters, regardless of ethnicity, social status, or religious affiliation.
* **like (Greek, _hómoios'_):** From G3664, this adjective signifies similarity in appearance or character. When Jesus states the second commandment is "like unto it," He is not suggesting it is merely similar in kind, but that it holds an equivalent, foundational importance to the first commandment. The two are inseparable, forming a dual pillar for all righteous living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the second is like unto it":** This phrase immediately connects the command to love one's neighbor with the preceding command to love God. The word "second" (G1208, _deúteros_) indicates its ordinal position, while "like unto it" (G3664, _hómoios_ and G3778, _hoûtos_) emphasizes its profound equivalence in importance and foundational nature. It is not a lesser command, but one intrinsically linked to and flowing from the first, demonstrating that genuine love for God is expressed through love for His creation.
* **"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself":** This is a direct quotation from [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"). The imperative "Thou shalt love" (G25, _agapáō_) demands an active, intentional, and sacrificial love. The object of this love is "thy neighbour" (G4139, _plēsíon_), encompassing all humanity. The crucial qualifier "as thyself" (G5613, _hōs_ and G4572, _seautoû_) provides the standard for this love. It does not command selfish self-love, but rather uses the natural human instinct for self-preservation, care, and well-being as the benchmark for how one should extend compassion, justice, and kindness to others. It implies treating others with the same dignity and concern one naturally desires for oneself.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:39 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Summation/Synthesis**, as Jesus masterfully condenses the vastness of the Mosaic Law and the Prophets into two core principles, demonstrating their interconnectedness and ultimate purpose. The phrase "as thyself" functions as a form of **Analogy** or **Simile**, providing a relatable and practical measure for the abstract concept of love, grounding it in the universal human experience of self-care. Furthermore, the very structure of Jesus' dual commandment acts as a **Didactic Parallelism**, where the second command mirrors and complements the first, reinforcing the idea that vertical love for God and horizontal love for humanity are inseparable expressions of true righteousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to love one's neighbor as oneself is not merely an ethical guideline but a profound theological statement on the nature of God and humanity. It reveals that God's character, which is love, is to be reflected in the relationships among His people. This command underscores the inherent dignity and value of every individual, created in God's image, and establishes the foundation for all righteous social interaction. It teaches that true worship of God is demonstrated not only in devotion but also in compassionate action towards others, making love the ultimate fulfillment of the Law and the prophetic vision for a just and harmonious society.

* [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - The Original Command to Love Your Neighbor")
* [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")
* [Galatians 5:14](/galatians/5-14 "Galatians 5:14 - The Whole Law Fulfilled in One Word")
* [James 2:8](/james/2-8 "James 2:8 - The Royal Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:39 challenges believers to move beyond superficial acts of kindness to a deep, empathetic, and active love for all people. To "love thy neighbour as thyself" means to genuinely seek their well-being, to advocate for their justice, to extend forgiveness, to offer practical help, and to treat them with the same dignity and respect we inherently desire for ourselves. This principle calls us to dismantle prejudices, overcome apathy, and actively engage in building communities marked by compassion and mutual care. It transforms our understanding of Christian duty from mere adherence to rules to a proactive embodiment of God's love in every interaction, reminding us that our faith is not only personal but profoundly relational and societal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I naturally care for myself, and how can I intentionally extend that same level of care and concern to my neighbors?**
* **Who is my "neighbor" in light of Jesus' expanded definition, and how might I need to broaden my understanding of who I am called to love?**
* **How does my love for God manifest in my practical love for others, and where might there be a disconnect?**
* **What are some practical steps I can take this week to demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in my immediate sphere of influence or beyond?**

### FAQ

**What does "as thyself" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "as thyself" does not command self-love in a narcissistic or selfish sense. Rather, it uses the natural human instinct for self-preservation, care, and desire for one's own well-being as the standard or measure for how we should treat others. It implies that the care, compassion, and justice we naturally afford ourselves should be extended outwards to our neighbor. It's about empathy and reciprocity: treating others with the same dignity, respect, and concern that we desire for ourselves. It highlights that genuine love for others is rooted in a healthy understanding of our own worth and needs, which then becomes the benchmark for how we value and treat those around us.

**How does this second commandment relate to the first commandment to love God?**

Answer: Jesus explicitly states that the second commandment is "like unto it," meaning it is of similar and inseparable importance to the first commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind [Matthew 22:37-38](/matthew/22-37-38 "Matthew 22:37-38 - The First Great Commandment"). Theologically, these two commandments are two sides of the same coin. One cannot truly love God, who is unseen, without demonstrating that love through concrete actions towards one's visible neighbor. As [1 John 4:20](/1_john/4-20 "1 John 4:20 - Loving God and Neighbor") states, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" They are the two foundational pillars upon which "all the Law and the Prophets hang" [Matthew 22:40](/matthew/22-40 "Matthew 22:40 - The Summation of the Law"), summarizing the entirety of God's moral will.

**Who is my "neighbor" according to Jesus?**

Answer: While the Old Testament context of [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor") primarily referred to fellow Israelites, Jesus radically expanded the definition of "neighbor." In the Parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:29-37](/luke/10-29-37 "Luke 10:29-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), Jesus illustrates that one's neighbor is anyone in need whom we encounter, regardless of their ethnicity, social status, religious background, or even if they are considered an enemy. It is a proactive, compassionate stance towards anyone whose path crosses ours and who is in need of our love and assistance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:39 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus not only taught this commandment but lived it out flawlessly. His entire ministry was an active demonstration of loving God supremely and loving His neighbor perfectly. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, associated with outcasts, and ultimately laid down His life for His "neighbors"—humanity—while we were still His enemies [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners"). His "new commandment" in [John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - Jesus' New Commandment") to "love one another, as I have loved you" elevates the standard of love beyond "as thyself" to the divine, self-sacrificial love that He exemplified on the cross. Through His Spirit, Christ empowers believers to live out this impossible command, transforming our natural self-interest into Christ-like compassion, making us agents of His love in a broken world, thus fulfilling the Law's deepest intent in and through His followers [Galatians 5:14](/galatians/5-14 "Galatians 5:14 - Love Fulfills the Law").

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 12:31

And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

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.

Luke 10:37

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Romans 13:9

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Romans 13:10

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.

Leviticus 19:18

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.

Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.