Matthew 22 40

Matthew 22:40 kjv

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:40 nkjv

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:40 niv

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:40 esv

On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:40 nlt

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

Matthew 22 verses

Matthew 22 40 Meaning

Matthew 22:40 declares that the entire Old Testament, represented by "the Law and the Prophets," finds its foundation, summation, and interpretive key in the two great commandments: to love God with all one's being and to love one's neighbor as oneself. All God's commands are intrinsically connected to and derived from these core principles of love, upon which their true meaning and purpose "hang."

Matthew 22 40 Context

Matthew chapter 22 depicts Jesus' final confrontations with the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion. Following Jesus' parables (of the two sons, the wicked tenants, and the wedding feast) that highlight the leaders' rejection of God and impending judgment, various factions attempt to trap Him with theological and political questions. The Sadducees, known for denying the resurrection, attempt to corner Him on the afterlife. After Jesus masterfully silences them (Matt 22:23-33), a Pharisee, described as a lawyer or expert in the Law (νομικός - nomikos), poses a seemingly genuine yet possibly testing question: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (Matt 22:36). This question reflects a common rabbinic debate about the hierarchy of the 613 commandments. Jesus' answer (Matt 22:37-39) goes beyond merely identifying a single command; He quotes two key passages (Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18) and then delivers the culminating statement in verse 40, showing that these two commandments are not isolated but form the comprehensive foundation of all of God's revelation to humanity through "the Law and the Prophets." This declaration encapsulates Jesus' understanding of the essence of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing its ethical and relational core over ritualistic details or burdensome additions.

Matthew 22 40 Word Analysis

• On (ἐν - en): Signifies dependence, being situated within, or being foundational to. It indicates that "the Law and the Prophets" reside or are rooted in these two commandments.
• these (ταύταις - tautais): Refers directly to the two commandments just cited by Jesus in the preceding verses (Matt 22:37-39), underscoring their specific importance.
• two (δυσὶν - dysin): Emphasizes the dual nature of love – vertically towards God and horizontally towards humanity. It highlights that true love cannot be separated into distinct silos but expresses itself comprehensively in both dimensions.
• commandments (ἐντολαῖς - entolais): Refers to divine injunctions, ethical requirements, and precepts given by God.
• hang (κρέμαται - krematai): The Greek verb "krematai" literally means "to be suspended," "to depend upon," or "to be fastened to." This metaphor beautifully illustrates that the entire edifice of the Old Testament Scriptures is supported by and finds its complete meaning in these two pillars of love. If these two are removed, the entire structure falls or loses its coherence.
• all (πᾶς - pas): Stresses totality and universality. Not merely part or some but the entirety of "the Law and the Prophets" derives its essence from these two principles.
• the Law (ὁ νόμος - ho nomos): Refers primarily to the Pentateuch, the first five books of Moses (Torah), which contain God's explicit commands and statutes for Israel. It represents divine instruction and covenant obligations.
• and the Prophets (καὶ οἱ προφῆται - kai hoi prophētai): Refers to the prophetic books, often understood to include the historical books and the writings of the major and minor prophets in the Jewish canon. This phrase, "the Law and the Prophets," is a common Hebrew idiom (Torah Nevi'im) for the entire Old Testament Scripture, signifying the complete divine revelation available at that time.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• On these two commandments: Specifies the exact, indispensable foundation upon which all else rests. These are not merely important amongst others, but paramount and foundational.
• hang all the Law and the Prophets: This phrase presents a profound interpretive key. It teaches that the vast body of Old Testament revelation, with its myriad laws, narratives, prophecies, and wisdom, is not an arbitrary collection of rules but a coherent revelation whose underlying purpose and spirit are ultimately distilled into, illuminated by, and entirely dependent upon these two fundamental expressions of love. Every commandment, every narrative, every prophecy, when properly understood, serves to promote either love for God or love for neighbor, or both.

Matthew 22 40 Bonus section

The context of this verse, following Jesus' handling of the Sadducees and immediately preceding His challenge to the Pharisees about the Messiah (Matt 22:41-46), highlights Jesus' divine authority. He is not merely a wise rabbi but one who speaks with the ultimate authority of God, able to succinctly articulate the very core of God's will revealed through all prior Scripture. His summary transcended the rabbinic debates about the greatest commandment, elevating not one, but two, and then binding all other commands to them, effectively unifying divine and human relations under one principle of love. This serves as a significant Christological statement, showcasing Jesus as the definitive interpreter and fulfiller of the Law. The ethical teaching presented here is fundamental to Jesus' kingdom ethics and remains the touchstone for Christian discipleship.

Matthew 22 40 Commentary

Matthew 22:40 is Jesus' culminating summary of divine truth, asserting the absolute supremacy of love as the foundational principle of all God's revelation. By stating that "all the Law and the Prophets" depend on the love for God and love for neighbor, Jesus did not abolish the Law but distilled its true essence, revealing its unified heart. He unveiled the interpretative key for understanding all Scripture: if a law or prophecy does not promote love, it is either misunderstood, misapplied, or not correctly interpreted in its spirit. This declaration challenged the prevalent legalism of the time, which often prioritized meticulous adherence to numerous precepts, rituals, and man-made traditions over the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness – which are all expressions of love.

The dependence (krematai) implies that these two commandments are not just two among many, but the very "pegs" or "hinges" from which the entire revelation hangs. To truly obey "the Law and the Prophets," one must understand and live out these two commands. This understanding demands a transformation of the heart (as foretold in Jer 31 and Ez 36), for genuine love cannot be legislated but must flow from a renewed spirit. Thus, Matthew 22:40 is both a summary of Old Testament ethics and a prophetic pointer to the New Covenant, where the Spirit writes God's law of love on the hearts of believers.

Examples of practical usage:

• When evaluating a seemingly obscure Old Testament law, ask: "How does this commandment, when rightly understood, promote love for God or neighbor?"
• In ethical dilemmas, prioritize actions that genuinely express love towards God and others over mere technical compliance with rules.
• In Christian living, strive to live from a heart of love, recognizing that acts of charity, forgiveness, humility, and justice are direct outworkings of loving God and loving one's neighbor.