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Jesus Teaches Greatest Commandments

When asked "which commandment is the greatest in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36), Jesus identified two core principles: love for God and love for one's neighbor. This teaching summarizes the entirety of the Law and the Prophets [5, 7, 8].

The first and greatest commandment, as stated by Jesus, is "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" [7]. This command is drawn from Deuteronomy 6:5 and is part of the Shema, a daily prayer for Jewish people [6]. Love for God is commanded in various biblical texts, including Deuteronomy 11:1 and Joshua 22:5 [2]. This love should encompass one's entire being—heart, soul, and mind [2]. It is considered superior to all sacrifices [2] and is a characteristic of saints [2]. This love is also understood as a fruit of the Holy Spirit [2]. The Heidelberg Catechism emphasizes that on this commandment, along with the second, "hang all the law and the prophets" [7].

The second commandment, which Jesus states is "like it," is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" [7]. This precept is found in Leviticus 19:18 [7]. The concept of justice, which is closely related to loving one's neighbor, is commanded in Deuteronomy 16:20 and Isaiah 56:1 [4]. Jesus himself exemplified justice [4]. This includes showing justice to the poor, the fatherless, widows, and servants [4]. The apostle Paul similarly declared that "Love is the fulfilling of the law" [13].

The "Ten Commandments," also known as the Decalogue or "Ten Words" (Exodus 34:28), represent a summary of the immutable moral law [1, 3]. These were given to Israel at Sinai, written by God on two stone tablets [3]. The circumstances surrounding their delivery instilled a unique awe [1]. However, Jesus' teaching on the greatest commandments distills these and all other laws into two overarching principles of love [5, 7, 8].

The lawyer who questioned Jesus was seeking to understand which single commandment held the most weight [9]. Jesus' response, however, provided two interconnected commands, indicating that the entire legal and prophetic tradition is founded upon them [7, 8]. This perspective is echoed by early Christian thinkers like Augustine, who noted that "the Lord Jesus Himself teaches us that the whole law and the prophets hang upon the two precepts of love to God and love to our neighbour" [5]. Tertullian similarly recorded Jesus' teaching that "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" [8].

The importance of keeping God's commandments is a recurring theme in Christian thought. As one homily notes, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" [11]. However, Jesus' teaching clarifies that the essence of these commandments is love. For instance, in the account of the rich young ruler, Jesus pointed to the man's love of riches over God, indicating a failure to uphold the first and most important commandment [10]. The practice of godliness and faithful discharge of duties are also linked to keeping Christ's commandments, motivated by love for Him [14]. Charles Hodge describes love for God as a constant reference to God's will, recognizing His hand in all things, submitting to chastisements, and being grateful for mercies [12].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ten Commandments — The popular name in this, as in so many instances, is not that of Scripture. There we have the "TEN WORDS," (Exodus 34:28; 4:13; 10:4) the "[1215]Covenant," Ex., Deut. 11. cc.; (1 Kings 8:21; 2 Chronicles 6:11) etc., or, very often as the solemn attestation of the divine will, the "TESTIMONY." (Exodus 25:16,21; 31:18) etc. The circumstances in which the Ten great Words were first given to the people surrounded them with an awe which attached to no other precept. In the midst of the cloud and the darkness and the flashing lightning and the fiery smok”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Commandments, the Ten — (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 10:4, marg. "ten words") i.e., the Decalogue (q.v.), is a summary of the immutable moral law. These commandments were first given in their written form to the people of Israel when they were encamped at Sinai, about fifty days after they came out of Egypt (Ex. 19:10-25). They were written by the finger of God on two tables of stone. The first tables were broken by Moses when he brought them down from the mount (32:19), being thrown by him on the ground. At the command of God he took up into the mount two other tables, and God”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justice — Commanded -- De 16:20; Isa 56:1. Christ, an example of -- Ps 98:9; Isa 11:4; Jer 23:5. Specially required in rulers -- 2Sa 23:3; Eze 45:9. To be done In executing judgment. -- De 16:18; Jer 21:12. In buying and selling. -- Le 19:36; De 25:15. To the poor. -- Pr 29:14; 31:9. To the fatherless and widows. -- Isa 1:17. To servants. -- Col 4:1. Gifts impede -- Ex 23:8. God Requires. -- Mic 6:8. Sets the highest value on. -- Pr 2:13. Delights in. -- Pr 11:1. Gives wisdom to execute. -- 1Ki 3:11,12; Pr 2:6,9. Displeased with the want of. -- Ec 5:8. Brings its own”
  5. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 36.--LOVE COMMENDED BY OUR LORD HIMSELF.: Moreover, the Lord Jesus Himself teaches us that the whole law and the prophets hang upon the two precepts of love to God and love to our neighbour. Concerning these two commandments the following is written in the Gospel according to St. Mark: "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 ? And Jesus answered him: The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel! the Lord our God i”
  6. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 10:27: 10:27 You must love the Lord your God: Jesus identified Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18 as the two greatest commandments (Mark 12:28-34). Deuteronomy 6:5 is part of the prayer known as the Shema, which every Jew was to repeat daily.”
  7. Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed) “Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed, 1563), Q. What does God’s law require of us?: Q. What does God’s law require of us? A. Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22:37-40: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’1 This is the greatest and first commandment. “And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’2 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” 1 Deut. 6:5 2 Lev. 19:18 Q & A 5”
  8. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. IV.--THE GOD OF THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS, AND THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IS THE SAME GOD. (part 3): which was the greatest commandment in the law, replied, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." And to these He added: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."[7] How is it, then, that He commends to him whom He was instructing, and was leading to enter on ”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. LXXIII.--OF THE PERSON TO WHOM THE TWO PRECEPTS CONCERNING THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE LOVE OF OUR NEIGHBOUR WERE COMMENDED; AND OF THE QUESTION AS TO THE ORDER OF NARRATION WHICH IS OBSERVED BY MAT (part 1): 141. Matthew then proceeds with his narrative in the following terms: "But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. And one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou s”
  10. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:21: 10:21 Instead of having an extended discussion about what it means to truly keep the commandments, Jesus focused on the specific issue that revealed this man’s problem. He still lacked one thing: He loved riches more than he loved God, thus breaking the first and most important commandment (12:29-30; Exod 20:3; Deut 6:5). Entering the Kingdom of God requires repentance (Mark 1:15; 6:12), and Jesus helped this man to understand exactly what repentance entailed for him. He did not need, as he might have thought, to attain a higher level of personal righteousness. He ”
  11. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — THE COMMANDMENTS." (part 1): 1. THE Gospel lesson which has now sounded in our ears, Brethren, requires rather an attentive hearer and a doer, than an expositor. What is more clear than this light, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments"?(3) What then have I to say but, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments"? Who is there that does not wish for life? and yet who is there that does wish to keep the commandments ? If thou dost not wish to keep the commandments, why seekest thou after life ? If thou art slow to the wo”
  12. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 42: a constant reference to his will in the conduct of our inward and outward life; recognizing continually his hand in everything that befalls us, submitting to all his chastisements and grateful for all his mercies. The second or negative aspect of the command is the condemnation of the failure to recognize Jehovah as the true God; failing to believe in his existence and attributes, in his government and authority; failing to confess him before men; and failing to render him the inward reverence and the outward homage which are his due, tha”
  13. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP.XII.--IT CLEARLY APPEARS THAT THERE WAS BUT ONE AUTHOR OF BOTH THE OLD AND (part 2): the law; but He would undoubtedly have endeavoured by all means to bring down a greater one than this from the perfect Father, so as not to make use of that which had been given by the 476 God of the law. And Paul in like manner declares, "Love is the fulfilling of the law:"(1) and [he declares] that when all other things have been destroyed, there shall remain "faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of all is love;"(2) a”
  14. John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 14:15: Christ not only proposes such things to them as were the matter of their comfort, but here promises to send the Spirit, whose office it should be to be their Comforter, to impress these things upon them. I. He premises to this a memento of duty (Joh 14:15): If you love me, keep my commandments. Keeping the commandments of Christ is here put for the practice of godliness in general, and for the faithful and diligent discharge of their office as apostles in particular. Now observe, 1. When Christ is comforting them, he bids them keep his commandments; for we must not”
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