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Explanation for:
Matthew
22
:
40
On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"If loving God equates to loving one’s neighbor, as the Saviour instructed Peter, \\"If thou love me, feed my sheep\\" (John 21:16), and since love for one's neighbor is evidenced by adherence to the commandments, it is rightly stated that \\"on these two commandments the whole law and the prophets are established.\\" Just as the Saviour acted in the past, so He acts in the present. When questioned by the Sadducees regarding the resurrection, He responded beyond their inquiry to impart a deeper understanding; similarly, when asked about the foremost commandment, He included the second, which, while termed “second,” holds equal significance. Through this, He highlighted the source of their inquiry—rooted in malice, for \\"love envieth not\\" (1 Cor. 13:4). Thus, the Saviour demonstrated His adherence to both the law and the prophets. \\n\\nRegarding the differing accounts by Matthew and Mark about the lawyer who posed a question to test Him, there is no inconsistency. The Evangelists are in complete harmony. The lawyer initially approached Jesus with a challenge but ultimately acknowledged the wise response of the Saviour. The Saviour did not commend him at first; instead, when the lawyer expressed that loving one's neighbor ranks above all burnt offerings, the Lord replied, \\"You are not far from the kingdom of God.\\" This remark indicated that he, having disregarded lesser duties, grasped the essence of virtue. All other responsibilities, like observing the Sabbath, are grounded in love. However, the Saviour did not offer him full commendation, indicating that much was still lacking. The phrase \\"not far from the kingdom of God\\" implied that he had yet to fully attain it and served as an invitation for him to seek what he was missing. \\n\\nWhen the Saviour acknowledged the lawyer's claim, \\"One is God, and there is none other but He\\" (Mark 12:32), it is not surprising; it illustrates how He engages with those who come to Him. While many may make unflattering statements about Christ, they should not deny the existence of God entirely. The Saviour’s praise for the lawyer, who affirmed that there is no other God than the Father, does not negate His own divine identity. Rather, since the time to reveal His divinity had not yet come, He allows the lawyer to remain within the framework of the old law, commending his understanding so that he might be prepared to accept the teachings of the New Testament when they are unveiled. Furthermore, the declaration \\"there is one God, and no other besides Him,\\" as found in both the Old and New Testaments, serves not to dispute the Son's divinity but to differentiate the true God from idols. In this context, the Saviour commended the lawyer for his genuine statement. \\n\\nAfter addressing the lawyer's inquiry, Jesus posed another question to the Pharisees: \\"What do you think of Christ? Whose son is He?\\" They answered, \\"Of David\\" (Matthew 22:42). Observe the numerous miracles and signs He performed, the many questions He posed, and the evidence He furnished to demonstrate His unity with the Father in both word and action, as well as the commendation he gave to the lawgiver who asserted, \\"There is one God.\\" This was all done prior to His question, ensuring the Pharisees could not claim that while He performed miracles, He opposed the law or was an enemy of God. Consequently, He asked this question after presenting ample proof, gently guiding them to recognize Him as God. He had previously queried His disciples in a similar manner, first asking them what others thought of Him and then inquiring about their own beliefs. However, His questioning of the Pharisees was different, designed to lead them to form their own judgments rather than triggering their instinct to label Him a deceiver or wicked man."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"The profound tranquility of the holy angels is founded upon two principles: devotion to God and compassion for one another, reflecting the eternal peace of all the Saints. Thus, our Savior declared in advance that all the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. Treatises on love."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"This is explicitly articulated in chapter 7, where it is stated, ‘This is the law and the prophets’ (Matt. 7:12). However, in the Gospel of Matthew, the lawgiver is portrayed as a tempter, whereas in Mark, he is highly praised. The reason for this is that initially, he came as a tempter on behalf of the Pharisees; yet upon hearing the Lord’s response, he recognized its truth and agreed with it. When Jesus observed that he had responded wisely, He said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God (Mark 12:34), meaning that he had approached faith by renouncing envy and acknowledging the truth. This statement served as an encouragement for him to deepen his faith. You can find this in Mark."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The second commandment, similar to the first, instructs humanity to pursue righteousness. There exist two paths leading to destruction: false teachings and immoral living. Therefore, in order to steer clear of erroneous beliefs, we are called to love God, and to avoid sinful lifestyles, we are instructed to love our neighbor. The one who expresses love for their neighbor upholds all divine commandments; likewise, the individual who observes these commandments demonstrates love for God. Consequently, these two commands are intertwined, mutually reinforcing, and encompass all other commandments. Who, in their love for God and their neighbor, would resort to theft, harbor ill thoughts, commit murder, or engage in adultery or fornication? This lawgiver initially sought to provoke; however, upon receiving Christ’s wise reply, he gained understanding and was commended by Christ, as noted in the Gospel of Mark: “Jesus, seeing that he answered wisely, said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’” (Mk. 12:34)."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"An examination of the Ten Commandments provided to Moses on Mount Sinai reveals that the first four focus on the love for God, while the remaining six emphasize love for one's neighbor. In reviewing the prophetic messages throughout Scripture, one finds them replete with critiques directed at those who forsake the worship of the true God for idolatry, warnings against actions that wrong or harm others, and encouragement to perform good deeds that uplift our neighbors. Furthermore, in contemplating the concepts of sin and virtue, it becomes evident that sin is fundamentally a disregard for God or an injury to others, whereas virtue consists of devotion to the true God and acts that benefit our neighbors. This understanding aligns with the words of the Lord of all, who stated that all the Law and the Prophets rest upon these two commandments: the love of God and neighbor, encapsulating the essence of all divine commandments and the teachings of the holy prophets. Thus, Jesus replied to the lawyer's inquiry and subsequently posed a question to the Pharisees in attendance who were seeking to challenge Him."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HINGE ALL OF THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS. These two commandments serve as a solid, eternal foundation for the entire Old Testament, encapsulating the essence of everything that Moses and the prophets conveyed and required. ‘All of God's laws, commandments, and counsels arise from love, much like water flows from a spring; love is the source of all divine commandments. Love God and your neighbor, and no temptation will sway you from the solid ground of virtue. God desires your love because in loving Him lies your joy, your earthly welfare, your peace, your happiness, and your everlasting bliss. He calls for you to love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; this triadic repetition of \\"all\\" emphasizes its righteousness, its utility, and its necessity. Should you offer to God merely a portion of your heart, thoughts, and soul while allocating the rest to the world, that uncommitted part will become a dwelling for evil thoughts, carnal desires, and sin, which will tarnish the part dedicated to God. Conversely, if you entirely dedicate your heart, soul, and thoughts to God, then sin will find no residence in you, for your entire being will be a sanctuary for God’s presence living within you’ (Nikephoros, Archbishop of Astrakhan). Hence, our Lord Jesus Christ, in seeking to elucidate the full spirit of His Divine teaching, answered the lawyer with a response that was broader and deeper than the initial inquiry: ‘When questioned about the foremost commandment, He referred to the second,’ remarks St. Chrysostom, ’which is almost as significant as the first; while termed the second, it is indeed akin to the first. Why is it so similar? Because the second leads to the first and is upheld by the first.’ ‘For anyone who loves God as commanded by the first will undoubtedly adhere to all other commandments of God: if ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15),’ declares the Lord. The foremost commandment regarding love for God is followed closely by the command to love our neighbor. Therefore, anyone who sincerely loves God also loves their neighbor; all individuals are siblings, children of the Father in Heaven; and anyone who loves the One who birthed them loves those born of Him. However, if one does not love their neighbor, they do not love God: for how can someone who does not love their visible brother claim to love God whom they cannot see? (1 Jn. 5:1; 1 Jn. 4:20). Love is a flicker of divine flame within our hearts, and fire inherently provides warmth. If love, the warmth of a believer's heart, does not extend to your neighbor, it suggests that your heart is devoid of love, lacking warmth from the Life Source - God, who is love. God loves all people: if you genuinely, not just verbally, love God with your entire heart, how can you fail to love those whom He loves? As a measure of love towards God, He has prescribed a total devotion of our hearts: love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and similarly, as a measure of love towards your neighbor – the love you have for yourself: love your neighbor as yourself’ (Nikephoros, Archbishop of Astrakhan). The Lord’s response made it evident to the Pharisees why they were unable to reach common ground among themselves, why they debated which commandment held greater importance, as they failed to comprehend the true spirit of the Law, merely quantifying and measuring the commandments instead of embodying them in their actions. The Lord also emphasized the oneness of God, ensuring that when He referred to Himself as the Son of God, the Jews would not misinterpret His words as an incitement of heresy. To counter such misinterpretation, He firmly affirmed that God is one. The scribe who questioned the Lord attentively absorbed His divine response; it was clear that the words of the Lord resonated with him. The Evangelist Mark recounts that the scribe replied to Jesus Christ, ‘Well, Master, thou hast said the truth, that there is one God, and there is none other besides Him; and to love Him with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is greater than all burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk. 12:32-33). ‘For a scribe-Pharisee to articulate such a sound judgment, heartfelt and vigorous, was a rare occurrence,’ observes Innocent, Archbishop of Kherson. The Lord did not encounter many such wise judgments throughout His ministry. ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God,’ He told the scribe, and the gentle, merciful gaze in His eyes reinforced this affirmation. It was especially disconcerting for the other Pharisees to hear words from one of their own that betrayed their faction, which persistently held tradition above Scripture and rituals above commandments. We might speculate that this scribe eventually seized the opportunity of being close to the kingdom of God and, by becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, validated through his life that love for God and neighbor is the paramount commandment.’ ‘Having shed the lesser duties,’ states St. Chrysostom, ’he grasped where true virtue begins. For all other duties — observing the Sabbath, among others — are directed toward love. Nevertheless, the Savior withholds complete commendation, indicating that he is still lacking. The words, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God,’ imply that he has not yet arrived and are intended to encourage him to pursue what he lacks. The Savior's commendation should not surprise you; instead, take note of how He interacts with those who approach Him. Though they may voice many things about Christ that are unworthy of His glory, as long as they do not deny the existence of God, He engages with them. He commends the legal expert for acknowledging that there is no other God apart from the Father; this does not imply that Jesus Christ does not recognize His own divinity. Rather, since the time for His divinity to be fully unveiled had not yet come, He allows the lawyer to remain tied to his previous understanding, commending him for his grasp of the old Law, so he could later be receptive to the teachings of the New Testament when the time is ripe. However, the declaration ‘There is one God, and none other besides Him,’ in both the Old and New Testaments, is not meant to deny the divinity of the Son of God, but to distinguish the true God from idols. With this thought, the Savior likewise acknowledges the legalist who articulated these words.’ Following these demonstrations of Jesus' divine wisdom, no one dared to pose further questions to Him. But with all the challengers silent, the Lord initiated conversation with the Pharisees. The heart-searcher was aware that they posed inquiries about the commandments with a hidden agenda: to entrap Him into proclaiming Himself as the Son of God and God. Then they could accuse Him of blasphemy. In response to their unvoiced intent, He adeptly posed a question, ‘in a subtle manner guiding them not only to acknowledge the Father but also Him as God,’ as noted by St. Chrysostom."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The entirety of the 'law and the prophets' is upheld by these two commandments, serving as the foundation of the Old Testament. They encapsulate the core teachings of Moses and all the prophets. Loving God and one’s neighbor constitutes the essence of faith, a principle taught by Moses, the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles. If loving God equates to loving your neighbor—since the Savior instructed Peter, 'If you love me, feed my sheep' (Jn. 21:16)—and love for one’s neighbor manifests through the observance of commandments, then it is accurately stated that ‘On these two commandments the whole law and the prophets are established’ (Chrysostom)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Highlighting the fundamental commandments of love for God and love for one’s neighbor, the Lord proclaimed, “There is no greater commandment than these” (Mark 12:31); upon these two commandments rests the entirety of the law and the prophets. Within these commandments lie all directives concerning humanity’s relationship with God and fellow beings; everything God later conveyed to Moses and all that was subsequently declared by the prophets is merely an elaboration of the foundational truths embedded in these two commandments. Thus, the entire law and the prophets find their foundation in them."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Christ, recognizing the earnestness of the lawyer, imparted genuine guidance, stating that the foremost commandment is to love God, with the second being similar: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ Upon these two commandments rests the entirety of the law and the prophets. The lawyer concurred with this understanding, prompting the Savior to tell him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ What he was missing was faith in Christ as the Messiah."}]}
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