Matthew 22:37 directly quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, showing a clear link between Jesus’ teachings and the Old Testament. When Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” He’s reaffirming the core command from the Shema—a daily declaration of faith for the Jewish people. By doing this, He emphasizes that loving God with your entire being isn’t just a New Testament idea; it’s always been God’s top priority.
Understanding this connection helps you see that the Bible tells one unified story. Jesus didn’t replace the Law—He fulfilled it by highlighting what truly matters: wholehearted love for God. If you want to live out your faith with clarity and purpose, it starts here. Keep reading for a deeper dive into how these verses align and why they still matter for your life today.
If you’ve ever read Matthew 22:37 and thought, “That sounds familiar,” you’re absolutely right. Jesus didn’t just come up with this teaching on the spot. He was quoting Scripture—specifically, Deuteronomy 6:5 from the Old Testament.
Understanding how these two verses connect gives you a richer view of what it means to love God and how the Old and New Testaments work together. Let’s break it down.
1. What Does Matthew 22:37 Say?
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
— Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
Jesus says this in response to a question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36). His answer? Love God fully—heart, soul, and mind.
He doesn’t stop there. In verse 39, He adds, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But let’s focus on verse 37 for now, because it’s a direct callback to something the Jewish audience already knew very well.
2. What Does Deuteronomy 6:5 Say?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
This verse is part of a central passage in Jewish life called the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). Observant Jews recite it daily. It’s core to Jewish identity.
So when Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, He’s doing two things:
- Affirming the Law of Moses
- Showing that love for God has always been the greatest command
He wasn’t introducing a new idea—He was highlighting the foundation of the Law.
3. Let’s Compare the Two Verses
Here’s how they line up:
| Element | Deuteronomy 6:5 | Matthew 22:37 |
| Love God with… | Heart | Heart |
| … | Soul | Soul |
| … | Strength | Mind |
Notice the difference? In Deuteronomy, it says “strength”; in Matthew, Jesus says “mind.” Why the change?
It’s All About Language and Context
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and the New Testament was written in Greek. The Hebrew word for “strength” (me’od) is broad. It can mean strength, might, muchness, or everything you’ve got. When translated into Greek, this concept often overlaps with mind, will, and intention.
Jesus isn’t changing the meaning—He’s emphasizing that loving God involves your full being:
- Emotionally (heart)
- Spiritually (soul)
- Intellectually (mind or strength)
4. Why This Connection Matters
When Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, He’s not being poetic. He’s being deliberate. Here’s why it matters:
A. He Affirms the Old Testament
Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law. He said:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
— Matthew 5:17
By quoting Deuteronomy, Jesus shows that He’s building on what God already commanded, not replacing it.
B. He Reveals God’s Unchanging Priority
The greatest commandment hasn’t changed:
- Not during Moses’ time.
- Not during Jesus’ ministry.
- Not now.
God wants your wholehearted love. That’s always been His main command.
5. The Context of Deuteronomy 6:5
To really get the weight of Deuteronomy 6:5, look at what surrounds it.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
This is the Shema. It starts by declaring who God is—the one true God. Then it tells us what to do in response: love Him completely.
This wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command. And it was to be taught:
- To your children
- In your home
- On the road
- Day and night
God wanted His people to live this love.
6. The Context of Matthew 22:37
In Matthew 22, Jesus is in a high-stakes discussion with religious leaders. They’re trying to trap Him with tricky questions.
When they ask which commandment is the greatest, Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, then adds Leviticus 19:18 (“Love your neighbor as yourself”) to show the two pillars of God’s law.
“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:40
Everything else—rituals, sacrifices, commandments—hangs on love for God and love for people.
7. What It Means for You
Let’s be practical. What does all this mean for you today?
1. Loving God is Still Priority #1
It’s not about religion. It’s not about being “good.” It’s about loving God deeply. That means:
- Spending time with Him
- Trusting Him
- Obeying Him
- Worshiping Him with heart, soul, and mind
2. Old and New Testament Are One Story
Jesus didn’t come with a brand-new religion. He came to fulfill God’s original plan. Understanding the Old Testament helps you understand Jesus better.
3. Love Transforms Everything
If you get this commandment right, everything else starts to fall into place—your relationships, your values, your purpose.
8. Bonus: Jesus Quotes the Shema in Mark Too
If you want even more confirmation of this connection, check out Mark 12:29–30:
“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”’”
This version includes all four: heart, soul, mind, and strength. It’s the most direct quote of Deuteronomy 6:4–5 in the New Testament.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 22:37 isn’t just a nice verse about loving God. It’s Jesus quoting one of the most sacred Old Testament commands—Deuteronomy 6:5.
By connecting the two, Jesus shows:
- Love for God is the foundation of everything
- He’s not changing the Law—He’s fulfilling it
- Loving God is about your whole being, not just feelings
So if you’re wondering what God wants from you, here’s your answer:
Love Him—with everything you’ve got.
Quick Recap (TL;DR)
- Matthew 22:37 quotes Deuteronomy 6:5.
- Both teach that the greatest commandment is to love God fully.
- Jesus affirms and builds on the Old Testament, not replaces it.
- “Heart, soul, and mind” in Matthew = “heart, soul, and strength” in Deuteronomy.
- Loving God is still your #1 priority today.
If this helped you understand the connection, consider reading both chapters in full: Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 22. They’re short—but full of meaning.
Need help applying this in daily life? Just ask.
🔹 Frequently Asked Questions: How Matthew 22:37 Connects with the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:5
1. What does Matthew 22:37 say, and why is it important?
Matthew 22:37 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” It’s important because Jesus identifies it as the greatest commandment, pointing to the foundation of true faith: loving God completely.
2. Where does Matthew 22:37 come from in the Old Testament?
It comes from Deuteronomy 6:5, which says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Jesus directly quotes this verse to show continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
3. Why does Jesus say “mind” instead of “strength” in Matthew 22:37?
The word “strength” in Hebrew can refer to all your resources, effort, and even your will. In Greek, Jesus uses “mind” to emphasize intellectual devotion. The shift reflects the language and audience, but the meaning stays the same: love God with everything.
4. What is the Shema, and how does it relate to Deuteronomy 6:5?
The Shema is a key Jewish prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4–5: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” It’s followed by the command to love God completely. Jesus quoting this shows He’s affirming the most central teaching in Jewish life.
5. Does Matthew 22:37 replace the Old Testament law?
No, it fulfills it. Jesus says in Matthew 5:17 that He didn’t come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. By quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, He highlights the heart of the Law, not a new idea.
6. How does Matthew 22:37 apply to Christians today?
It reminds you that faith isn’t just about rules—it’s about loving God fully with your heart, soul, and mind. That love should shape your choices, relationships, and purpose.
7. Why is loving God considered the greatest commandment?
Because everything else flows from it. If you love God with your whole being, obedience, compassion, worship, and moral choices naturally follow.
8. What’s the difference between heart, soul, mind, and strength?
- Heart = emotions and desires
- Soul = your spiritual life
- Mind = thoughts and understanding
- Strength = willpower, resources, and effort
Each part represents a full-life devotion to God.
9. What other New Testament verse connects Matthew 22:37 to Deuteronomy 6:5?
Mark 12:30 says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” This verse includes all four elements and ties directly back to the Shema.
10. What’s the main takeaway from how Matthew 22:37 connects to Deuteronomy 6:5?
The main takeaway is that loving God completely has always been the core command in Scripture. Jesus didn’t change it—He brought it to the forefront as the foundation of both law and life.
