Matthew 22:36
What does Matthew 22:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 22:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 22:36 means
The lawyer asks Jesus, 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' This question, while appearing academic, was a point of intense debate among Jewish rabbis. There were 613 commandments in the Mosaic Law, and scholars argued about their relative importance. The lawyer hopes to draw Jesus into a controversial position or expose His ignorance, seeking to trip Him up in a theological minefield. His sincere question reveals his earnest spiritual curiosity about God's priorities.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Master, which is the chief rule in the law?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Teacher, which <FI>is<Fi> the great command in the Law?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
Context
This verse presents the lawyer's specific question, immediately following his introduction as a Pharisee seeking to 'try' Jesus. This question about the greatest commandment is a direct theological challenge, common among Jewish scholars, and serves to test Jesus' understanding and interpretation of the Law. This forms the central point of inquiry for which Jesus will provide His foundational answer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
- Luke 11:42
But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
- Mark 12:28
And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?
- Hosea 8:12
I wrote for him the ten thousand things of my law; but they are counted as a strange thing.
- Matthew 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
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