Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:39

What does Matthew 22:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:39 means

Jesus then adds, 'And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' He quotes Leviticus 19:18, connecting it directly to the first commandment. By linking love for God with love for neighbor, Jesus demonstrates that true worship of God must manifest in compassionate action toward others. This reveals that the two commandments are inseparable, forming a complete picture of righteous living. No true love for God can exist without genuine love for humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a second like it is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the second <FI>is<Fi> like to it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [the] second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Context

This verse presents the second great commandment, immediately following Jesus' declaration of the first. By stating "And a second like unto it is this," Jesus reveals the interconnectedness of loving God and loving one's neighbor. This pairing provides a comprehensive summary of the Law and the Prophets, forming the dual pillars upon which all true righteousness stands, as He will explain in the next verse.

v.38This is the great and first commandment.

v.39This passage

v.40On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 6:10

    So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.

  • Romans 15:2

    Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.

  • Luke 10:27

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

  • Romans 13:9

    For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

  • Leviticus 19:18

    Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.

  • Mark 12:31

    The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

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