Matthew 22:37 — New International Version (NIV) (2026-09-18)

Historical lead-up

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is in the midst of His ministry, teaching and performing miracles. He faces increasing opposition from religious leaders who challenge His authority and teachings. This particular moment occurs during a series of confrontations where the Pharisees and Sadducees are trying to trap Him with difficult questions. The atmosphere is charged with tension as they seek to undermine His influence among the people.

Why this verse was written

This verse was written to clarify the essence of the law and the heart of true devotion to God. Jesus is responding to a question posed by a teacher of the law, who asks Him which commandment is the greatest. The audience includes both His disciples and the religious leaders, and His answer serves to guide them—and us—toward a deeper understanding of what it means to love God.

True meaning

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Each of these components represents a different aspect of our being: the heart signifies our emotions and desires, the soul reflects our spiritual essence, and the mind encompasses our thoughts and understanding. By stating this, Jesus is calling for total devotion and commitment to God, indicating that our love for Him should permeate every part of our lives. This commandment is foundational, as it encapsulates the essence of our relationship with God.

Living it today

To live out this verse today, we can start by examining our priorities and how we express our love for God in our daily lives. This might involve setting aside time for prayer and reflection, engaging in worship, and seeking to align our thoughts and actions with His will. In relationships, we can demonstrate love for God by treating others with kindness and respect, recognizing that loving our neighbors is an extension of our love for Him. Additionally, we can ask ourselves how we can serve God in our communities, allowing our love for Him to inspire our actions and decisions.

What follows

Following this verse, Jesus goes on to explain that the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This connection highlights that our love for God naturally leads to love for others, reinforcing the idea that our faith is not just personal but also communal.