Matthew 22:34-40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:35

A lawyer - Νομικος , a teacher of the law. What is called lawyer, in the common translation, conveys a wrong idea to most readers: my old MS. renders the word in the same way I have done. These teachers of the law were the same as the scribes, or what Dr. Wotton calls letter-men, whom he supposes to be the same as the Karaites, a sect of the Jews who rejected all the traditions of the elders, and admitted nothing but the written word. See Wotton's Mishna, vol. i. p. 78. These are allowed... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:36

Which is the great commandment - We see here three kinds of enemies and false accusers of Christ and his disciples; and three sorts of accusations brought against them. The Herodians, or politicians and courtiers, who form their questions and accusations on the rights of the prince, and matters of state, Matthew 22:16 . The Sadducees, or libertines, who found theirs upon matters of religion, and articles of faith, which they did not credit, Matthew 22:23 . 3. The Pharisees,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:37

Thou shalt love the Lord - This is a subject of the greatest importance, and should be well understood, as our Lord shows that the whole of true religion is comprised in thus loving God and our neighbor. It may not be unnecessary to inquire into the literal meaning of the word love. Αγαπη , from αγαπαω , I love, is supposed to be compounded either of αγαν and ποιειν , to act vehemently or intensely; or, from αγειν κατα παν , because love is always active, and will act in every... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:38

This is the first and great commandment - It is so, In its antiquity, being as old as the world, and engraven originally on our very nature. In dignity; as directly and immediately proceeding front and referring to God. In excellence; being the commandment of the new covenant, and the very spirit of the Divine adoption. In justice; because it alone renders to God his due, prefers him before all things, and secures to him his proper rank in relation to them. In sufficiency; being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:39

Thou shalt love thy neighbor - The love of our neighbor springs from the love of God as its source; is found in the love of God as its principle, pattern, and end; and the love of God is found in the love of our neighbor, as its effect, representation, and infallible mark. This love of our neighbor is a love of equity, charity, succor, and benevolence. We owe to our neighbor what we have a right to expect from him - "Do unto all men as ye would they should do unto you," is a positive command... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:40

On these two - hang all the law and the prophets - They are like the first and last links of a chain, all the intermediate ones depend on them. True religion begins and ends in love to God and man. These are the two grand links that unite God to man, man to his fellows, and men again to God. Love is the fulfilling of the law, says St. Paul, Romans 13:10 ; for he who has the love of God in him delights to obey the Divine precepts, and to do all manner of kindness to men for God's sake. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:34

Verse 34 Although I think that this narrative has nothing more than a resemblance to what is related by Matthew in the 22nd, and by Mark in the 12th chapter, of his Gospel, and that they are not the same; I have chosen to collect them into one place, because, while Matthew and Mark affirm that this was the last question by which our Lord was tempted, Luke makes no mention of that circumstance, and seems intentionally to leave it out, because he had stated it in another passage. And yet I do not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:37

Verse 37 Matthew 22:37.Thou shalt love the Lord thou God. According to Mark, the preface is inserted, that Jehovah alone is the God of Israel; by which words God supports the authority of his law in two ways. For, first, it ought to be a powerful excitement to the worship of God, when we are fully convinced that we worship the actual Creator of heaven and earth, because indifference is naturally produced by doubt; and, secondly, because it is a pleasing inducement to love him, when he freely... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:39

Verse 39 39.And the second is like it. He assigns the second place to mutual kindness among men, for the worship of God is first in order. The commandment to love our neighbors, he tells us, is like the first, because it depends upon it. For, since every man is devoted to himself, there will never be true charity towards neighbors, unless where the love of God reigns; for it is a mercenary love (76) which the children of the world entertain for each other, because every one of them has regard... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:40

Verse 40 Matthew 22:40.On these two commandments. I now return to Matthew, where Christ says that all the Law and the prophets depend on these two commandments; not that he intends to limit to them (78) all the doctrine of Scripture, but because all that is anywhere taught as to the manner of living a holy and righteous life must be referred to these two leading points. For Christ does not treat generally of what the Law and the Prophets contain, but, in drawing up his reply, states that... read more

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