What is the greatest commandment?

Definition and Scriptural Foundation

When asked, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered with a direct quotation from Scripture known as the Shema, saying:

“‘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.’

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29–31)

This directive originates from Deuteronomy 6:4–5: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” The second part of the greatest commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is found in Leviticus 19:18. Pulling these together, Jesus teaches that wholehearted love for God and authentic love for others summarize the essence of the Law and the Prophets (cf. Matthew 22:40).

Historical Context and the Shema

The Shema (“Hear!”) has long been recited by faithful worshipers in Israel. A crucial affirmation of monotheism, it declares that there is only one true God and He alone deserves the entirety of a person’s devotion. Archaeological evidence—including fragments of Deuteronomy preserved among the Dead Sea Scrolls—confirms the antiquity of this passage and offers tangible support for the accuracy of the Hebrew texts that affirm this command.

Ancient Israelite culture was distinct from surrounding nations precisely because of this central tenet of monotheism. Many early writings, such as references by the Jewish historian Josephus (1st century AD), emphasize the unparalleled devotion the Jewish people had toward one God. This unbroken line of belief helps validate how Jesus, centuries later, would reaffirm the Shema as the theological and practical core of true faith.

Jesus’ Teaching and the Two-Fold Nature of the Commandment

Following the Shema, Jesus adds a companion command drawn from Leviticus 19:18 to love one’s neighbor. In Mark 12:31, He says, “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” By pairing these two words of instruction, He encompasses the vertical dimension (love of God) and the horizontal dimension (love of neighbor).

This dual focus reveals that genuine love for God naturally expresses itself in loving acts toward others. All moral, ethical, and ceremonial directives in Scripture find their fulfillment in these two commands, reinforcing the seamless unity of Scripture and its overarching message of reconciliation—first with God, and then with fellow human beings.

Broader Biblical Context

1. Summation of the Law and the Prophets

In Matthew 22:40, Jesus declares, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” This statement underscores the centrality of love: every ritual and moral statute in the Old Testament finds its ultimate purpose in these two inseparable expressions of love.

2. Illustrations from the Epistles

The Apostle Paul reiterates this teaching when addressing the early churches. In Romans 13:9–10, he quotes several commandments and concludes, “love is the fulfillment of the law.” Thus, the New Testament letters echo and expand upon Jesus’ words, ensuring that the principle remains foundational in Christian life and doctrine.

3. Practical Outworking in Early Church History

Early Christian manuscripts and writings, such as the Didache, highlight the commandments to love God and neighbor as vital for believers living in diverse cultures. Early church fathers often emphasized that social unity, care for the poor, and personal holiness are impossible unless fueled by an overarching love for God.

Behavioral and Philosophical Implications

1. Motive for Ethical Conduct

Placing love at the center shifts moral actions from mere obligation to joyful responsibility. When love for God fills one’s heart, it naturally overflows in service to others, reflecting a transformed inner character rather than external rule-keeping.

2. Unity of Thought, Emotions, and Actions

The command “with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” underscores integration of the whole person. Love is not confined to emotion; it involves intentional thought, spiritual devotion, bodily dedication, and rational commitment. This holistic pursuit fosters consistency and authenticity in a person’s life.

3. Ultimate Purpose

The command aligns with the broader Scriptural teaching that humanity’s principal aim is to glorify and enjoy God forever. Fulfilling this greatest commandment leads believers into deeper worship, unity, and a sense of purpose that transcends circumstances.

Apologetic and Historical Support

1. Early Manuscript Evidence

Fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls (such as 4QDeut) preserve vital passages of Deuteronomy, demonstrating that the call to love God fully was central in ancient Hebrew practice, long before Christ. These texts, when compared across centuries, show remarkable consistency with modern Hebrew Masoretic texts.

2. Archaeological and Historical Findings

Locations such as Qumran and other sites throughout Israel provide cultural context and continuity for the Shema’s emphasis. Ancient ritual objects and synagogue inscriptions often bear references to foundational commands, highlighting how the Shema shaped national identity.

3. Transformational Impact

Through diverse historical phases—Judaism under Roman governance, the early Church facing persecution, and beyond—this commandment has remained unchanged and transformative. Testimonies from believers across centuries attest to radical life changes when the call to love God supremely and to love neighbors sacrificially is embraced.

Practical Application

1. Personal Devotion

Practicing this command begins privately—cultivating prayer, meditation on Scripture, and intentional reflection on God’s character. Such devotion trains the heart to love consistently and wholeheartedly.

2. Community and Compassion

Congregations and faith communities thrive when love is evident in their relationships. Acts of mercy, encouragement, and reconciliation become natural manifestations of a love-first ethos. The fruit of this communal expression is a compelling witness to the broader world.

3. Global Perspective

Loving God and neighbor transcends cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers. Historical mission movements have often been driven by compassion for those in need—both physically and spiritually—reflecting this greatest commandment in practice.

Summary of Key Insights

• The “greatest commandment” was confirmed by Jesus as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” coupled with “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

• The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4–5 provides the foundation for exclusively worshiping the one God.

• When combined with Leviticus 19:18, these two directives summarize all biblical moral teaching.

• Archaeological and manuscript evidence consistently validates the preservation and centrality of these commands.

• Practically, this commandment shapes both personal devotion and communal care, embodying the heart of genuine faith and reflecting the unity and integrity of the Scriptures.

No other instruction in Scripture carries such far-reaching implications, for everything in faith and practice flows out of wholehearted love for God and neighbor. This is, indeed, the greatest commandment.