Jesus' Top 5 Commands in the Gospels
Jesus' Commands in the Gospels
Jesus issued various commands throughout the Gospels, emphasizing different aspects of His teachings. To identify His top commands, we must examine the frequency and context of these commands.
The Greatest Commandments
In the Gospels, Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment. In response, He cites Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, emphasizing the importance of loving God and loving one's neighbor [4]. According to Mark 12:28-34, Jesus identifies these two commandments as the greatest.
The command to love God is rooted in the Shema, a daily prayer recited by Jews, underscoring its significance [4]. The second commandment, to love one's neighbor, is derived from Leviticus 19:18. Jesus' response highlights the centrality of love in His teachings.
Other Prominent Commands
Jesus also issues other significant commands in the Gospels. For instance, He instructs His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Additionally, Jesus commands His followers to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12) [1].
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands His disciples not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans during His initial mission (Matthew 10:5) [2]. This command highlights the initial focus on the Jewish community.
Commands Related to Prayer and Worship
Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer, commanding them to pray persistently (Luke 18:1-8) and to forgive others in order to be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15) [3]. He also emphasizes the importance of prayer in His own life, often withdrawing to pray (Luke 5:16).
Top 5 Commands
While the Gospels contain numerous commands, the following five can be considered among Jesus' top commands based on their frequency, context, and significance:
- Love God and your neighbor: Jesus identifies this as the greatest commandment, citing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 [4, 5].
- Love one another: Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them (John 15:12) [1].
- Forgive others: Jesus teaches that forgiveness is essential, commanding His disciples to forgive others in order to be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15).
- Pray persistently: Jesus instructs His disciples to pray continually, using the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) [3].
- Make disciples: Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
These commands are not exhaustive, but they represent some of the most significant and recurring instructions in the Gospels.
The early Christian tradition, as reflected in the writings of the Church Fathers, emphasizes the importance of love and charity. For example, Augustine notes that the whole law and the prophets hang upon the two precepts of love to God and love to one's neighbor [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Matthew “Matthew 10:5 (Geneva1599) — These twelue did Iesus send forth, and commanded them, saying, Goe not into the way of of the Gentiles, and into the cities of the Samaritans enter yee not:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- 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.”
- 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”