Jesus called Matthew 22:37 the greatest commandment because it captures the heart of what God truly wants from us—total love. Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind isn’t just a religious rule; it’s the foundation of everything else in your faith. When your relationship with God is rooted in love, obedience stops being a burden and becomes a natural response.
This command isn’t just about feelings—it involves your thoughts, your choices, and your entire being. Jesus modeled this kind of love perfectly, showing us that a real connection with God comes before anything else. If you want your faith to be more than just going through the motions, this is where it starts. Keep reading for a deeper dive into why this commandment matters and how it can reshape your walk with God.
If you’ve ever wondered why Jesus singled out Matthew 22:37 as the greatest commandment, you’re not alone. It’s a powerful verse, but why does it outrank all the others? Let’s dig into what Jesus said, why it matters, and what it means for your life today.
What Does Matthew 22:37 Say?
First, here’s the verse:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” — Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
This wasn’t something new. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, part of the Shema—a daily Jewish prayer. Every devout Jew already knew it by heart. But Jesus didn’t just repeat it. He elevated it.
So, why this one? Why does loving God with all your being sit above every other law?
Let’s break it down.
1. Jesus Was Answering a Loaded Question
In Matthew 22, a Pharisee—a religious law expert—asked Jesus:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (v. 36)
The Law of Moses has 613 commandments—not just the 10 you might be thinking of. These included laws about worship, relationships, food, work, justice—you name it.
The Pharisees wanted Jesus to pick one, so they could trap Him in a theological debate. But Jesus didn’t just pick any command. He went straight to the core—the command that fuels all others.
2. Love for God Is the Foundation of Everything Else
Jesus wasn’t simplifying the law—He was clarifying it.
“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” — Matthew 22:40
When Jesus said this, He followed up with the second greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). But He started with love for God because:
- You can’t love others well if you don’t love God first.
- Every other command flows from this one.
Without love for God, rules become rituals. But when you love Him deeply, obedience becomes a natural response.
3. Jesus Describes How to Love God
Let’s look at the parts of Matthew 22:37:
With All Your Heart
This means emotionally and sincerely. Not halfway. God wants affection, not just attention. When you love someone with all your heart, they’re your priority.
With All Your Soul
This speaks to your spiritual life—your will, your passion, your desires. Loving God with your soul means you choose Him, even when it’s hard.
With All Your Mind
Don’t miss this. Jesus includes your thoughts and understanding. Faith isn’t just emotional or spiritual—it’s also intellectual. Loving God means:
- Studying His Word
- Thinking about His truth
- Aligning your values with His
Jesus wants your whole self engaged in love—heart, soul, mind. Nothing held back.
4. It’s About Relationship, Not Religion
This command is deeply personal. Religion says, “Do this, follow that.” But Jesus cuts through all that and says:
“Start with love.”
Not fear. Not guilt. Not performance. Love.
Think about it: God created you to know Him. Not just serve Him. When Jesus calls this the greatest commandment, He’s saying:
“The most important thing you can do with your life is love God completely.”
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being devoted.
5. Jesus Modeled This Love Perfectly
Jesus didn’t just preach it—He lived it. He loved the Father with His entire being:
- Heart: He wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35)
- Soul: He surrendered in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)
- Mind: He taught with unmatched wisdom (Luke 2:47)
He obeyed the Father, trusted Him, and gave up everything out of love.
And because of that love, He laid down His life for us.
6. Love Motivates True Obedience
Why does Jesus say love is the greatest?
Because real obedience starts with love.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15
That’s not a guilt trip. It’s a principle. The more you love God, the more you’ll want to live for Him. Not because you have to—but because you want to.
Love transforms duty into desire.
7. The Shema Was Already Central—but Jesus Makes It Personal
The command in Deuteronomy 6:5 was central to Jewish life. But Jesus makes it more intimate. He brings the abstract down to earth:
- No longer just a national identity
- No longer just a repeated phrase
- Now, it’s your primary calling
Jesus isn’t adding a rule—He’s revealing the reason behind them all.
8. Loving God Is the Key to Eternal Life
In Luke 10, a man asked Jesus:
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus asked him, “What does the Law say?” The man answered:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus said, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” — Luke 10:27-28
Loving God isn’t just the greatest commandment—it’s the path to life. Not because you earn salvation, but because love for God is evidence of a heart that’s truly alive.
Summary: Why Did Jesus Choose Matthew 22:37?
Let’s recap the key reasons:
✔ It’s the foundation of every other command
✔ It directs our whole being—heart, soul, mind
✔ It puts relationship with God above religion
✔ It reflects how Jesus lived
✔ It motivates all true obedience
✔ It’s the root of eternal life
Final Thoughts: What Does This Mean for You?
It means this: You were made to love God first. That’s your highest calling. Your purpose isn’t tied to your job, your status, or even your good deeds.
It starts with loving the One who created you.
If you’ve been focusing more on rules than relationship, Jesus is inviting you back to the greatest commandment:
Love God. With everything. Always.
And as that love grows, everything else in life starts to fall into place.
Want to go deeper?
Start by asking yourself:
- What does it look like for me to love God with all my heart?
- How am I loving Him with my thoughts? My choices?
- Am I giving Him my best, or just what’s left?
He doesn’t want part of you. He wants all of you.
And that’s why Matthew 22:37 will always be the greatest commandment.
FAQs – Why Jesus Chose Matthew 22:37 as the Greatest Commandment
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.” Jesus called this the greatest commandment because it sums up the heart of the entire Law—loving God completely. It’s the foundation for everything else in your spiritual life.
2. Why did Jesus choose this commandment over all others?
Jesus chose it because love for God is the root of every other law and commandment. Without love, obedience becomes empty. Loving God fully naturally leads to loving others and living righteously.
3. Was Jesus quoting from the Old Testament in Matthew 22:37?
Yes. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5, a core verse in Jewish tradition known as the Shema. He emphasized its importance by calling it the greatest commandment in response to a Pharisee’s question.
4. What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
It means loving God with your emotions (heart), your will and desires (soul), and your thoughts and understanding (mind). It’s a call to love Him with your entire being—nothing held back.
5. How does this commandment connect to loving others?
Jesus followed this verse with “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Loving God comes first, but real love for God always spills over into how you treat others.
6. Is this commandment still relevant for Christians today?
Absolutely. It’s the cornerstone of Christian living. No matter how culture or laws change, this commandment remains the ultimate purpose of your life—loving God above all.
7. What did Jesus mean when He said all the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments?
He meant that every rule and teaching in Scripture is built on these two core principles: loving God and loving others. If you get those right, everything else follows.
8. How did Jesus model this commandment in His own life?
Jesus loved the Father with full devotion—praying often, obeying perfectly, and even sacrificing His life. He lived out this commandment completely, showing us how to do the same.
9. How can I practically apply Matthew 22:37 in daily life?
Start by prioritizing your relationship with God—through prayer, Bible study, worship, and obedience. Ask yourself daily, “Am I loving God with my choices, time, and thoughts today?”
10. What’s the deeper meaning behind why Jesus called this the greatest commandment?
Jesus wasn’t just listing a rule—He was revealing your deepest purpose. You were created to love God fully. This isn’t just about religion—it’s about real relationship and total devotion.
