Matthew 22:36 Meaning and Explanation
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The lawyer asks which commandment in the law is the greatest.
What Does Matthew 22:36 Mean?
The scribes counted hundreds of commandments in the law and debated which were weighty and which were light. Asking for the single greatest was a live scholarly dispute -- and a question on which any answer could be attacked for what it left out.
Beneath the test lies one of the best questions a soul can ask: of all that God requires, what matters most? Jesus will answer without hesitation, and His answer (verses 37-40) gathers every scattered duty into one word -- love. The question meant to corner Him instead unlocks the heart of the whole law.
Matthew 22:36 in the Original Language
entole (ἐντολή), 'commandment' -- a charge or order; here, the commandments given in the law of Moses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:36
What does Matthew 22:36 mean?
The lawyer asks which commandment in the law is the greatest.