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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 22:37 Jesus declared, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/22-37.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/40_Mat_22_37.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 22:37 - The Greatest Commandment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/22-36.htm" title="Matthew 22:36">◄</a> Matthew 22:37 <a href="/matthew/22-38.htm" title="Matthew 22:38">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/22.htm">New International Version</a> Jesus replied: &#8220&#8217Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/22.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ <a href="/esv/matthew/22.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. <a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/22.htm">King James Bible</a> Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/22.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ <a href="/nasb_/matthew/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ <a href="/nasb/matthew/22.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He said to him, &#8220&#8217YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ <a href="/lsb/matthew/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ <a href="/amp/matthew/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And Jesus replied to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ <a href="/csb/matthew/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He said to him, &#8220Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. <a href="/asv/matthew/22.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. <a href="/cev/matthew/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. <a href="/erv/matthew/22.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. <a href="/gwt/matthew/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus answered him, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/gnt/matthew/22.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/isv/matthew/22.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus told him, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/msb/matthew/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ <a href="/net/matthew/22.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus said to him, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/nheb/matthew/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said to him, "'You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/wbt/matthew/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. <a href="/wey/matthew/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,'" He answered, "'with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind.' <a href="/web/matthew/22.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Jesus said to him, “You will love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your understanding— <a href="/blb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus said to him, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thine understanding -- <a href="/slt/matthew/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Jesus said to him: “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ <a href="/nabre/matthew/22.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus said to him, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your power, and with all your mind. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/22.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua said to him, “You shall love THE LORD JEHOVAH your God from all your heart and from all your soul and from all your power and from all your mind.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/22.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Jesus said to him: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind. <a href="/godbey/matthew/22.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He said to him; <FR>Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/22.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then Jesus said to him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” <a href="/mace/matthew/22.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus said to him, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." <a href="/wey/matthew/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,'" He answered, "'with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind.' <a href="/worrell/matthew/22.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He said to him, <FR>"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/22.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And Jesus said unto him, <FR>Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: this is the first and great command.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/22-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6634" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm">The Greatest Commandment</a> …36“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” 37<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5346.htm" title="5346: ephē (V-IIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">Jesus declared,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: Agapēseis (V-FIA-2S) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">“‘Love</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: kyrion (N-AMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">the Lord</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holē (Adj-DFS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">all</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2588.htm" title="2588: kardia (N-DFS) -- Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.">heart</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holē (Adj-DFS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">all</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychē (N-DFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">soul</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holē (Adj-DFS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">all</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1271.htm" title="1271: dianoia (N-DFS) -- From dia and nous; deep thought, properly, the faculty, by implication, its exercise.">mind.’</a> 38This is the first and greatest commandment.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a> And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. <a href="/mark/12-30.htm">Mark 12:30</a> Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ <a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Luke 10:27</a> He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” <a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12</a> And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, <a href="/joshua/22-5.htm">Joshua 22:5</a> But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” <a href="/1_john/4-19.htm">1 John 4:19</a> We love because He first loved us. <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a> And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. <a href="/1_john/5-3.htm">1 John 5:3</a> For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a> If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. <a href="/1_corinthians/8-3.htm">1 Corinthians 8:3</a> But the one who loves God is known by God. <a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Psalm 119:2</a> Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. <a href="/psalms/119-10.htm">Psalm 119:10</a> With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. <a href="/2_kings/23-25.htm">2 Kings 23:25</a> Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses. <a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5</a> Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4</a> And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a> And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.<a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12</a> And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,<a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a> And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Love</a> <a href="/matthew/21-29.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/matthew/22-29.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/matthew/21-10.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/24-48.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/matthew/22-41.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/23-6.htm">Love</a> <a href="/matthew/27-63.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/matthew/22-40.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 22</div>1. <a href="/matthew/22-1.htm">The parable of the marriage of the king's son.</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">The vocation of the Gentiles.</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/22-23.htm">Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">answers which is the first and great commandment;</a> 41. <a href="/matthew/22-41.htm">and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/22.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Jesus declared The phrase begins with the authority of Jesus, the central figure of the New Testament. The Greek word used here is "eipen," which means "said" or "declared." This emphasizes the authoritative teaching of Jesus, who is not merely offering advice but is issuing a command. In the context of first-century Judea, Jesus' words carried the weight of divine instruction, as He was recognized as a rabbi and prophet by many. His declaration is a direct response to a question about the greatest commandment, underscoring the importance of what follows.Love The Greek word for love here is "agapao," which is a verb form of "agape." This is not a mere emotional affection but a deliberate act of will and commitment. Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional, reflecting the nature of God's love for humanity. In the historical context, this kind of love was revolutionary, as it called for a total devotion that transcended mere duty or obligation.the Lord your God This phrase is a direct reference to the Shema, found in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>, which is a central declaration of the Jewish faith. The Greek word for "Lord" is "Kyrios," which denotes authority and divinity. "Your God" personalizes the relationship, indicating a covenantal bond between God and His people. In the historical context, this was a reaffirmation of monotheism in a polytheistic world, emphasizing the unique and personal relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh.with all your heart The Greek word for "heart" is "kardia," which in biblical terms refers to the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. It is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being. In the ancient world, the heart was seen as the source of life and decision-making. To love God with all one's heart means to devote one's entire emotional and volitional life to Him, prioritizing Him above all else.and with all your soul The word "soul" is translated from the Greek "psyche," which encompasses life, breath, and the essence of a person. It is the animating principle of a human being. In the Hebrew context, the soul represents the life force given by God. Loving God with all one's soul implies a dedication of one's entire life and being to God, acknowledging Him as the source and sustainer of life.and with all your mind The Greek word for "mind" is "dianoia," which refers to understanding, intellect, and reasoning. This addition to the Shema in the New Testament context highlights the importance of intellectual engagement in one's faith. It suggests that loving God is not only an emotional or spiritual act but also an intellectual one, involving the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of God's nature and will.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(37) Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.--In St. Mark's report (<a href="/mark/12-29.htm" title="And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:">Mark 12:29</a>) our Lord's answer begins with the Creed of Israel ("Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord"), and so the truth is in its right position as the foundation of the duty. It is significant (1) that the answer comes from the same chapter (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/6-4.htm" title="Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>) which supplied our Lord with two out of His three answers to the Tempter (see Notes on <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm" title="But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.">Matthew 4:4</a>; <a href="/matthew/4-7.htm" title="Jesus said to him, It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.">Matthew 4:7</a>); and (2) that He does but repeat the answer that had been given before by the "certain lawyer" who stood up tempting Him, in <a href="/luke/10-25.htm" title="And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?">Luke 10:25</a>. In their ethical teaching the Pharisees had grasped the truth intellectually, though they did not realise it in their lives, and our Lord did not shrink, therefore, so far, from identifying His teaching with theirs. Truth was truth, even though it was held by the Pharisees and coupled with hypocrisy.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 37. - Thou shalt love the Lord thy God; Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>, from the Septuagint, with some slight variation). Christ enunciates the two great moral precepts of God's Law, not, indeed, stated in these words in the Decalogue, but implied throughout, and forming the basis of true religion. Heart... soul... mind. The Septuagint has "mind, soul, strength." The expressions mean generally that God is to be loved with all our powers and faculties, and that nothing is to be preferred to him. It is difficult to define with any precision the signification of each term used, and much unprofitable labour has been expended in the endeavour to limit their exact sense. "Quum," as Grotius says, "vocum multarum cumulatio nihil quam intensius studium designet." It is usual to explain thus: Heart; which among the Hebrews was considered to be the seat of the understanding, is here considered as the home of the affections and the seat of the will. Soul; the living powers, the animal life. Mind; διαμοίᾳ, intellectual powers. These are to be the seat and abode of the love enjoined. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/22-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[Jesus] declared, ἔφη (ephē) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say. “‘Love Ἀγαπήσεις (Agapēseis) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. [the] Lord κύριον (kyrion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. God Θεόν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. with ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. all ὅλῃ (holē) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. heart καρδίᾳ (kardia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2588.htm">Strong's 2588: </a> Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. with ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. all ὅλῃ (holē) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. soul ψυχῇ (psychē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. with ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. all ὅλῃ (holē) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. mind.’ διανοίᾳ (dianoia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1271.htm">Strong's 1271: </a> From dia and nous; deep thought, properly, the faculty, by implication, its exercise. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him 'You shall love (Matt. 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