Matthew 22:37 — New King James Version (NKJV) (2026-09-16)

Historical lead-up

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is engaged in a series of discussions with religious leaders who are trying to challenge His authority and teachings. This particular moment occurs after He has shared parables that illustrate the nature of God’s kingdom. The Pharisees and Sadducees, two prominent groups of Jewish leaders, are testing Him with questions about the law and the greatest commandment.

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 seeks to understand which commandment is the most important. The audience includes not only the religious leaders but also His disciples and the gathered crowd, all of whom are eager to learn from His wisdom.

True meaning

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The key words here—heart, soul, and mind—represent the totality of our being. Jesus is speaking to the need for a complete and unwavering love for God, which should be the foundation of our faith and actions. This commandment encapsulates the essence of our relationship with God and serves as a guiding principle for how we live our lives.

Living it today

This verse invites us to reflect on our own love for God. We can ask ourselves: Are we loving God with our whole being? In daily life, this might look like prioritizing time for prayer, worship, and studying Scripture. In our relationships, it encourages us to express love and kindness, mirroring the love we receive from God. Practically, we can integrate this command into our decisions, ensuring that our choices align with our commitment to love God above all else.

What follows

Following this verse, Jesus continues by stating that the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This connection highlights that our love for God naturally extends to how we treat others, reinforcing the idea that our faith is both vertical (toward God) and horizontal (toward others).