Bible Strands
Matthew 22:40
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the assembled Pharisees immediately after defining the second greatest commandment. He delivers this statement as the concluding summary of his answer to the teacher’s inquiry.
The words — ἐντολαῖς (entolais) translates to “commandments,” and ὅλος (holos) means “all.” Combined with ἐν (en), “on,” they frame the structural relationship between the directives and the broader scriptures.
The thread — Matthew 7:12 parallels this idea by calling the Golden Rule the essence of the Law and the Prophets. Romans 13:9 applies the same logic by listing specific prohibitions against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting as contained within this framework.
Why it lands — The text states that every moral requirement depends on the two love commands. It asks the reader to test all religious duties against whether they actively fulfill love for God and love for neighbor.
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
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Cross-references
- Romans 13:9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
- 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
- James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
- John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
- 1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
- Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.