Matthew 22:39 Meaning and Explanation
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus lifts loving our neighbour up beside loving God, naming it the second great commandment.
The Context of Matthew 22:39
In the temple during Jesus' final week, a lawyer has asked Him which is the great commandment (verse 36). Jesus first names love for God (verse 37), then adds this as the second, drawing the words from Leviticus 19:18.
What Does Matthew 22:39 Mean?
Asked to single out the greatest commandment, Jesus gives two and binds them together. After 'love the Lord thy God,' He says, the second is like unto it: love your neighbour as yourself. Calling it 'like' the first is striking. Love for God and love for the people around us are made of the same cloth; you cannot have one while ignoring the other. The measure He gives is one we already understand from the inside, the steady care and benefit of the doubt we naturally give ourselves, now turned outward toward the person beside us.
Jesus did not only name this command; He embodied it, loving His neighbours all the way to laying down His life for them. He goes on to say that on these two commandments 'hang all the law and the prophets' (verse 40), as if the whole of Scripture rests on this double love. To follow Him is to be slowly taught how to love like this, beginning with the ordinary neighbour we can actually see. The love He commands is the love He first pours out on us.
Matthew 22:39 in the Original Language
plesion (πλησίον), 'neighbour' -- the one near at hand, whoever is close enough to be reached; Jesus later widens it to anyone in need.
How to Apply Matthew 22:39 Today
This verse keeps our love for God honest by tying it to the person right in front of us. The standard is the everyday care we give ourselves, now extended to our neighbour. We learn this love from Jesus, who loved us first and teaches us, one ordinary person at a time, to do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:39
What does Matthew 22:39 mean?
Jesus lifts loving our neighbour up beside loving God, naming it the second great commandment.
What is the context of Matthew 22:39?
In the temple during Jesus' final week, a lawyer has asked Him which is the great commandment (verse 36). Jesus first names love for God (verse 37), then adds this as the second, drawing the words from Leviticus 19:18.
How can I apply Matthew 22:39 today?
This verse keeps our love for God honest by tying it to the person right in front of us. The standard is the everyday care we give ourselves, now extended to our neighbour. We learn this love from Jesus, who loved us first and teaches us, one ordinary person at a time, to do the same.