A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 22:36

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" — Matthew 22:36 (ASV)

The great commandment in the law (εντολη μεγαλη εν τω νομω). The positive adjective is sometimes as high in rank as the superlative. See μεγας in Mt 5:19 in contrast with ελαχιστος. The superlative μεγιστος occurs in the N.T. only in 2 Peter 1:4. Possibly this scribe wishes to know which commandment stood first with Jesus. "The scribes declared that there were 248 affirmative precepts, as many as the members of the human body; and 365 negative precepts, as many as the days in the year, the total being 613, the number of letters in the Decalogue" (Vincent). But Jesus cuts through such pettifogging hair-splitting to the heart of the problem.