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"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
Verse Takeaways
1
A Common Rabbinic Debate
Commentators explain that the lawyer's question was not random but stemmed from a common practice among Jewish scholars of categorizing the 613 laws of Moses into 'great' and 'small.' They constantly debated which single command—such as the Sabbath, circumcision, or laws on sacrifice—was the most important.
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Matthew
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Which is the great commandment? That is, the greatest commandment, or the one most important. The Jews are said to have divided the law in…
The great commandment in the law (εντολη μεγαλη εν τω νομω). The positive adjective is sometimes as high in rank as the superlativ…
19th Century
Anglican
Which is the great commandment...? — Literally, of what kind. The questioner asked as if it belonged to a class.…
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Baptist
According to the Rabbis, there were many commandments that were secondary and others that were of the first importance. They often put commands, wh…
An expert in the interpretation of Scripture, perhaps especially the Pentateuch, as well as a vast complex of Jewish traditions, “tested” Jesus, as…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ]He calls him "master, Rabbi, or doctor", as the Sadducees had in …
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An interpreter of the law asked our Lord a question, to test, not so much his knowledge, as his judgment. The love of God is the first and great co…
13th Century
Catholic
Previously, the Lord answered the question concerning the payment of tribute and the question about the resurrection. Here, however, He answers a q…
