Teacher,
The term "Teacher" is a respectful address used for Jesus, acknowledging His authority and wisdom in spiritual matters. In the Jewish context, a teacher or "Rabbi" was a respected figure who interpreted the Law and guided others in understanding God's commandments. This title reflects the recognition of Jesus' role as a spiritual leader, even by those who questioned Him.

which commandment
The question about the "commandment" refers to the Jewish Law, which consists of 613 commandments found in the Torah. These commandments cover various aspects of religious, moral, and social life. The inquiry seeks to identify the most important or foundational commandment among them, highlighting the complexity and breadth of the Law.

is the greatest
The term "greatest" implies a hierarchy or prioritization within the commandments. This reflects a common rabbinical practice of debating which commandments were weightier or more significant. The question challenges Jesus to distill the essence of the Law into a single, overarching principle, which was a common exercise among Jewish teachers.

in the Law?
The "Law" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were given to Moses and form the foundation of Jewish religious life. The Law was central to Jewish identity and practice, and understanding its core was crucial for faithful living. This question is set within the broader context of Jesus' ministry, where He often engaged with the Law, fulfilling and interpreting it in ways that revealed deeper spiritual truths. Connections to other scriptures include Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, which Jesus cites in His response, summarizing the Law as love for God and neighbor.

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is approached by a Pharisee who is testing Him with a question about the Law.

2. Pharisees
A religious group in Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They often challenged Jesus to test His knowledge and authority.

3. The Law
Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments given to Moses in the Old Testament. The Pharisees were particularly concerned with the interpretation and application of these laws.The Primacy of Love
Jesus emphasizes that love is the foundation of all commandments. Loving God and others should be the primary focus of a believer's life.

Understanding the Law
The Law is not just a set of rules but a guide to living a life that honors God. Jesus teaches that the heart of the Law is love.

Testing and Temptation
Like Jesus, believers may face tests of their faith and understanding. It's important to respond with wisdom and truth.

Integration of Faith and Practice
True faith is demonstrated through actions. Loving God and others should be evident in how we live our daily lives.

The Role of Scripture
Knowing and understanding Scripture is crucial for answering life's questions and challenges, just as Jesus used Scripture to respond to the Pharisees.(36) Which is the great commandment . . .?--Literally, of what kind. The questioner asked as if it belonged to a class. Our Lord's answer is definite, "This is the first and great commandment."

Verse 36. - Which is the great commandment in the Law? Ποία ἐντολὴ μεγάλη ἐν τῷ νόμῳ; What sort of commandment is great in the Law? According to rabbinical teaching, there were more than six hundred precepts in the Law; of this considerable number all could not be observed. Which were of absolute obligation? which were not? The schools made a distinction between heavy and light commandments, as though some were of less importance than others, and might be neglected with impunity; and some of such exceeding dignity that fulfilment of them would condone imperfect obedience in the case of others. Some taught that if a man rightly selected some great precept to observe, he might safely disregard the rest of the Law (see Matthew 19:16, etc.). This was the kind of doctrine against which St. James (James 2:10) expostulates: "Whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all." The Pharisees may have desired to discover whether Jesus knew and sanctioned these rabbinical distinctions. He had proved himself intimately acquainted with the inner meaning of Scripture, and able to evolve doctrines and to trace analogies which their dull minds had never comprehended; the question now was whether he entered into their subtle divisions and could decide this dispute for them. Such is the view usually taken of the scribe's question; but it may well be doubted, if regard is had to the character of the man, whether he had any intention of entangling Christ in these subtleties, but rather asked for a solution of the general problem - Of what nature was the precept which should be regarded as "first" (Mark) in the Law? We may compare the somewhat similar question and answer in Luke 10:25-28. Lange's idea, that the scribe wished to force Christ to make some answer which, by implying his own claim to be Son of God, would trench upon the doctrine of monotheism, seems wholly unwarranted. This theory is based on the supposition that the Pharisee took it for granted that Jesus would answer, "Thou shalt love God above all," and intended to found upon that reply a condemnation for having made himself equal with God by his assertion of Sonship. But the text gives no countenance to such intention, and it has been suggested chiefly for the purpose of accounting for Christ's subsequent question (vers. 41-45), which, however, needs no such foundation, as we shall see.

Parallel Commentaries ...


“Teacher,
Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

which
ποία (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

commandment
ἐντολὴ (entolē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.

[is the] greatest
μεγάλη (megalē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law?”
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 22:36 Teacher which is the greatest commandment (Matt. Mat Mt)