Matthew 22:37 — New Living Translation (NLT) (2026-08-26)

Historical lead-up

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is engaged in a series of discussions and debates with religious leaders. These interactions occur during the final days of His earthly ministry, as He teaches in the temple and addresses questions about the law and the greatest commandments. The atmosphere is charged with tension as the Pharisees and Sadducees seek to challenge Him, hoping to trap Him in His words.

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 addresses a question posed by a lawyer who asks which commandment is the greatest. The audience includes both His disciples and the religious leaders, and His response serves to guide them—and us—toward a deeper understanding of what it means to love God fully.

True meaning

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Each of these terms reflects different aspects of our being: the heart represents our emotions and desires, the soul signifies our spiritual essence, and the mind encompasses our thoughts and understanding. By calling for total devotion, Jesus is teaching that our love for God should be comprehensive and all-encompassing, not just a part of our lives but the very foundation of who we are.

Living it today

To live out this verse today, we can start by examining our priorities and how we express our love for God. This might involve setting aside time for prayer and reflection, engaging in worship, and seeking to align our actions with His will. In our 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 integrate our faith into our daily decisions, ensuring that our heart, soul, and mind are focused on Him.

What follows

Following this verse, Jesus goes on to mention the second greatest commandment, which 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 lived out in community and action.