Matthew 22:38
What does Matthew 22:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 22:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 22:38 means
Jesus explicitly states, 'This is the great and first commandment.' By emphasizing its singular importance, Jesus elevates the commandment to love God above all others, making it the bedrock of all divine instruction. This declaration not only answers the lawyer's question directly but also reveals Jesus' profound understanding of God's priorities. It underscores that all obedience and spiritual life flows from this primary, all-encompassing love for the Creator.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This is the great and first commandment.
KJV
King James Version · 1611This is the first and great commandment.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This is the great and first commandment.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is the first and greatest rule.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this is a first and great command;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This is the greatest and the first commandment.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890This is [the] great and first commandment.
Context
This verse serves as an emphatic confirmation of the ultimate significance of the commandment to love God, immediately following its articulation. By declaring it 'the great and first commandment,' Jesus provides a clear, hierarchical answer to the lawyer's question. This foundational statement then transitions directly into the second, equally vital commandment, showing the interconnectedness of God's Law.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 22
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 22.
Devotionals
Devotional
Small Faith, Real Faith
A mustard seed is enough. Not a mountain of certainty — a seed of trust.
Devotional
The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
Jesus does not promise the absence of burden. He offers an exchange.
Devotional
Consider the Lilies
Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Loving Your Neighbor
The Bible consistently teaches that loving your neighbor is a fundamental expression of faith and a core commandment from God
Topic
Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery, a grave sin against God and marriage, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred vows.
Topic
Bible Verses About Anger
The Bible addresses anger directly, offering wisdom on its destructive potential and how believers can manage it righteously.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Finding Your Purpose in Life
When you're searching for what your life is for — verses for the long question.
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.