The Greatest Commandment

A scribe asks Jesus which commandment stands first. Jesus answers with the oneness of the Lord, love for God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love for neighbor as self. The scribe agrees, adds that this is greater than sacrifice, and Jesus says he is not far from the kingdom.

N²⁸ow one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” ²⁹Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. ³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” ³²“Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, ³³and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”