Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 22:38

"This is the great and first commandment." — Matthew 22:38 (ASV)

Jesus first quotes Dt 6:5 and then Lev 19:18. From the viewpoint of biblical anthropology, “heart” (GK 2840), “soul” (GK 6034), and “mind” (GK 1379) are not mutually exclusive but overlapping categories, together demanding our love for God to come from our whole person, our every faculty and capacity. “First and greatest” means this command is primary because it is the greatest. The second also concerns love, this time toward one’s “neighbor” (GK 4446), which in Lk 10:29–37 expands to anyone who needs our help.