Greatest Commandment
Two commandments
In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus is approached and questioned by a Pharisee who seeks to test Him about the greatest commandment in the entire Law. Jesus responds thoughtfully by emphasizing the supreme importance of love, declaring that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind—meaning with every part of one’s being and intellect. He then adds that the second greatest commandment is closely connected: to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus concludes His teaching by explaining that all the Law and the Prophets depend upon and are fulfilled through these two commandments, underscoring that love is truly the fundamental foundation of genuine faith and daily practice.
(ai summarized)
“ Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.””