Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:40

What does Matthew 22:40 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:40 means

Jesus concludes this teaching by stating, 'On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.' This profound declaration means that all of God's revealed will, encapsulated in the Old Testament Law (Torah) and the prophetic writings, is ultimately summarized and fulfilled in these two principles: supreme love for God and selfless love for fellow humans. These two commandments are not merely important but are the interpretive key and the very foundation of all divine expectations and ethical living.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

On these two rules all the law and the prophets are based.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

on these--the two commands--all the law and the prophets do hang.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

On these two commandments the whole law and the prophets hang.

Context

This verse provides Jesus' profound concluding summary of the entire Old Testament Law and the Prophets, revealing how all of God's commands ultimately culminate in these two principles. This authoritative statement directly follows His articulation of the two great commandments, demonstrating their comprehensive scope and interpretive power. This conclusion effectively silences the lawyer's attempt to trap Him and shows Jesus' unparalleled mastery of the Scriptures.

v.39And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

v.40This passage

v.41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,

Cross references

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:

  • 1 John 4:7

    Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.

  • James 2:8

    Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

  • John 1:17

    For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

  • Matthew 7:12

    All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.

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