Bible Strands
Matthew 22:36
“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — An expert in the law poses a direct question to Jesus during a recorded debate in Matthew 22. He asks which single commandment holds supreme authority within the Mosaic Law.
The words — The Greek ἐντολὴ (entolē) literally means commandment, while μεγὅλη (megalē) translates to greatest. These terms frame the inquiry around hierarchical value within the Torah.
The thread — This exchange parallels the scribe’s question in Mark 12:28 and anticipates Jesus’ response about loving God. It connects to warnings against neglecting weightier matters in Matthew 5:19 and Luke 11:42.
Why it lands — The verse demands a reader identify the primary directive governing obedience. It requires prioritizing divine love over secondary legal observances.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Cross-references
- Mark 12:28 Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
- Matthew 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 11:42 Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.
- Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
- Hosea 8:12 Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.
- Matthew 15:6 he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.