Matthew 22:37 — Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) (2026-09-16)

Historical lead-up

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus in a time of intense questioning and debate with the religious leaders of His day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to challenge Him, seeking to trap Him with difficult questions about the law and the prophets. This particular moment occurs after Jesus has already silenced the Sadducees, and now a lawyer approaches Him to test His understanding of the law.

Why this verse was written

This verse was written to clarify the essence of God’s commandments. Jesus, addressing a Jewish audience familiar with the law, emphasizes the importance of love as the foundation of their relationship with God. The lawyer’s question about the greatest commandment opens the door for Jesus to reveal the heart of the law, showing that love is central to true obedience.

True meaning

In this verse, Jesus instructs us to love God with our entire being—heart, soul, and mind. Each of these aspects represents a different part of our humanity: the heart symbolizes our emotions and desires, the soul represents our spiritual essence, and the mind encompasses our thoughts and understanding. By calling us to love God fully, Jesus is inviting us into a holistic relationship with Him, where every part of our lives is devoted to honoring and serving Him.

Living it today

To live out this commandment today, we can start by reflecting on our priorities and how we express our love for God. This might involve setting aside time for prayer, worship, and studying Scripture, ensuring that our hearts are aligned with His will. In our relationships, we can demonstrate this love by showing kindness, patience, and respect to others, recognizing that loving God also means loving our neighbors. Daily acts of service and gratitude can help us embody this commandment in practical ways.

What follows

Following this verse, Jesus states that the second commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This connection highlights that our love for God naturally extends to those around us. He concludes by emphasizing that all the law and the prophets hinge on these two commandments. This teaches us that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about how we interact with others, reinforcing the idea that love is the core of our faith and practice.