HOME | SCRIPTURE INDEX | MOVIE INDEX | ART INDEX | SEARCH | ABOUT | MOBILE | ADVERTISE | SUPPORT | BLOG | CONTACT

Matthew 22:34-46
With thanks to page sponsor 2014:
Rev. Katherine B Arthaud and family.

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Primary comparative texts of Rabbinic Wisdom, including "greatest commandment" parallels. Primary texts (Pseudepigrapha, Targum, Midrash, Targum) about Messainic Expectation. At Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus, Rutgers University.
  • "Of David's Lineage," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • Chapter VI, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.) 
  • Chapter XII of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130) 
  • Chapter XCIII, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160) 
  • XXXIV.24-25, 28-29, 31; XXXV.17-22; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160). 
  • III.XXI.8, IV.XXXIII.4, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
  • Chapter II, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198) 
  • I.7, I.9, III.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200) 
  • II.2, On The Apparel of Women, Tertullian (c. 202) 
  • II.13, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208) 
  • Chapter IX, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211) 
  • Chapter VI, Scorpiace,  Tertullian (c. 213) 
  • II.IV.2, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225) 
  • XIV.16, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247) 
  • Epistle VI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250) 
  • On the Lord's Prayer -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252) 
  • Latin text of Augustine's Sermon 91 (Mt 22:42 - 23:12). 
  • Sermon XLI- Augustine 
  • Sermon XLII - Augustine
  • Homily LXXI - Matthew 22:34-36, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Chrysostom (c. 380)
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • "The Law and the Gospel," Matthew 22:34-46, Martin Luther, c. 1522.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The Hebrew text in De 6:5 reads, "with thine heart, soul, and strength"; and in Mr 12:30 and Lu 10:27 we read, "with soul, heart, strength and thought.""
  • Cases and Directions for Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves, Richard Baxter (Puritan, c 1650)
    • "The true meaning of the text is, you must love him according to his true worth, without the diversion and hinderance of selfishness and partiality."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "There is a self-love which is corrupt, and the root of the greatest sins, and it must be put off and mortified; but there is a self-love which is the rule of the greatest duty: we must have a due concern for the welfare of our own souls and bodies."
  • What Think Ye of Christ? (Matt 22:42): sermon by George Whitefield.
    • "It is true, the doctrine of our free justification by faith in ChristJesus, like other gospel truths, may and will be abused by men of corruptminds, reprobates concerning the faith; but they who receive the truth ofGod in the love if it, will always be showing their faith by their works."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "A scribe asking him a question, trying him - Not, as it seems, with any ill design: but barely to make a farther trial of that wisdom, which he had shown in silencing the Sadducees."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Which is the first commandment of all?--first in importance; the primary, leading commandment, the most fundamental one. This was a question which, with some others, divided the Jewish teachers into rival schools."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "The Great Command and the Work of the Christ," D Mark Davis, 2017.
    • "I like how, simply on the face of the question and answer, Jesus and the Pharisees agree that there is a kind of priority among the many commands of the law. Even before identifying the two greatest commands, this approach toward the law is interesting in itself."
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • "Shamed by the Shema," Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2017.
    • " The extended article on love (agape) in Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament is very helpful in thinking about the love command in this text."
  • Living by the Word, J. Scott Turner, The Christian Century, 2017.
  • "'Love God. Love Neighbor.' Sounds simple.."
  • "What Makes You Great Again," Todd Weir, With All My Soul, 2017.
  • A Provocation, Richard Swanson, provokingthegospel, 2017.
    • What makes the world work?
  • Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2017.
  • "The Meaning of Life," Caleb Tabor, Modern Metanoia, 2017.
    • "...I really relate to Jesus’ position here. I can’t tell you the number of times that people have approached me to “just discuss” the issue of queerness and religion in order to basically entrap me."
  • Commentary, Matthew 22:34-46 |Nathan Willowby | A Plain Account, 2017
  • "#MeToo," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2017.
  • "It’s the confusion of relationships Jesus is pointing up."
    
  • "The Unlearning of Love," Andrew Prior, 2017.
    • "Some grace will mean that after walking away, silent because we could not yet give him an answer, we will discover that he himself has given us the answer."
  • Commentary, Matthew 22:34-46, Lance Pape, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "This is not the meek and gentle Jesus we thought we knew."
  • Preaching Matthew 22:34-43, Prince Raney Rivers, Lectionary Homelitics, 2014.
    • "When we invite hearers to love God as Jesus commands, we must point to the world around us at the concrete, tangible ways where this vision of love can be expressed. Show them what the love of God looks like."
  • "Sonnet of the Star and Ship," Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2014.
  • "The Freedom of Love," Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2014.
    • "We Christians in the West 'own everything.' While we may seek justice we are always 'wannabes.'"
  • "The Politics of Love," Michael Anthony Howard, The Pacific Pilgrim, 2014.
    • "...when Jesus explains that the law and the prophets all hang on the commandments to love God and love our neighbors, he is inviting his hearers to see that those around them were created in God's image."
• "Growing Edge," sermon starter, Rick Morley, 2014.
  • "...we cannot forget the core, the foundation of love."
• "The Test," NancyRockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2014.
  • "...the arguments over whose Law is greatest become mired in the deep darkness of struggles for power."
• Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
• Evangelio Comentario del San Mateo 22:34-46 por Yolanda Rosas, Working Preacher, 2014.
• Commentary, Matthew 22:34-46, Clayton Schmit, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
  • "Here ends, in this passage, the disputations and entrapments orchestrated by religious leaders during Jesus' final visit to Jerusalem."
• "On Loving God, Loving Neighbor and #OWS,'" Jaime Clark-Soles, ON Scripture, 2011.
  • "We are in the habit of caricature."
• Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
  • "The problem with orthodoxy is that it substitutes itself for thought."
• "Jesus Takes (and Gives) a Bar Exam," Caspar Green, Scarlet Letter Bible, 2011.
• "Love in an Outward Direction," Fr. Rick Morley, a garden path, 2011.
• Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew 22:34-46, David Ewart, 2011.
  • "The "love" that is being called for is not emotion; it is not "liking," "getting along with," "desiring," or "feeling warm about." The "love" Jesus is talking about here is trust, loyalty, enduring devotion, being attached to. You may actually hate your neighbour, but you will still love them in the Biblical sense if you continue to act for their well-being. "
• The Greatest Commandment, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
• "Who Are Your Relatives?" Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2011.
  • "It’s the 'internal state' kind of loving God which has a high 'ick' factor for Aussie men, or at least, so often seems fake or forced.  But attachment, total devotion, and giving everything for the team, are concepts we know all about, and are good at."
• "Shutting Down the Smart Kids?" Danielle Shroyer, The Hardest Question, 2011.
  • "Does Jesus here seem to revel (even more than usual) in pointing out the mysterious logic of faith?"
• "Reality Show Jesus," Alyce M. McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
• Comentario del Evangelio por Andrés Albertsen, San Mateo 22:34-46, Working Preacher, 2011.
• Commentary, Matthew 22:34-46, Jeannine K. Brown, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
• Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
• Commentary, Isaiah 60:19-22, Matthew 22:34-40, Delman Coates, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  • "Regardless of one?s theological stance on matters of sex and sexuality, the question becomes whether clergy leaders can develop a language of love and a culture of compassion in the church where people can receive help, hope, and healing."
• Exegetical Notes by Brian P. Stoffregen at CrossMarks.
  • "While Jesus quotes two OT passages (Dt 6:5; Lv 19:18), I think that we should stress the triple aspect of these two commandments: love God, love neighbor, and love self. I don't believe that Jesus is telling us to loose self in our care for neighbor -- or, in other words, become co-dependent. I also find it interesting that Jesus isn't proposing anything new, but using the authoritative writings for both Pharisees and Sadducees."
• The Hinge: The Two Great Commandments," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
• "Write the sentence, 'Jesus is both Lord and Son.' This is what God and the Bible is teaching us about Jesus. Jesus is both the Lord of our lives and is also the Son of God."
• "First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 20, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "It leaves each generation with a new challenge: how do we speak about God in Christ in a way that communicates the essence of the good news to people in our culture?"
• Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 25. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
  • "Despite the frequency with which people turn to Jesus to find out to whom they're NOT obligated, which people under which circumstances are out of the reach of God's love and therefore are beyond the call of God's people to ministry, Jesus' call will compel each one of his followers to take the fullest extent of God's love to the furthest reach of that love, to every person whom God made."
• "The Great Commandment," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
• Sermon Preparation Thoughts and Questions by Wesley White, 2005.
• Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
• "Love of God, Love of Neighbor," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
  • "Have you ever had the overwhelming sense you were loved? How do you know you are loved?"
• Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 30A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
• "Ethics: Great Commandment," "Teaching the Crowd: Messiah - the Son of David?" wikipedia.
• "Law of Love," Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark.
• "Is 'Self Love' Biblical?" by Daniel B. Wallace of Dallas Theological Seminary.
  • "Unpacking the meaning of the verse yields the following expanded translation: “You shall love your neighbor as you already do love yourself.” Thus, self-love is assumed in this text, not commanded."
• "Instances of Exegetical Closeness between the DSS and the New Testament, and Their Implications," Serge Ruzer, Orion center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature, 2004.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Baarda, Tjitze, "NOKIMOS in Syriac Texts," Novum Testamentum, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Donaldson, Terence L., "The Law That Hangs (Matthew 22:40): Rabbinic Formulation and Matthean Social World," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Foster, Paul, "Why Did Matthew Get the Shema Wrong? A Study of Matthew 22:37," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Greene, Martha, "Jesus' Final Exam," The Christian Century, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps on LSB Series A," Concordia Journal, 2005. (Section on this text begins on page 248)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Mathewson, Laurel Rae, Living by the Word, Reflections on the Lectionary, The Christian Century, 2015.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Powery, Emerson, "Under the Gaze of the Empire: Who Is My Neighbor?" Interpretation, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rice, Richard J., "Breaking Down Barriers," The Living Pulpit, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Robinson, Anthony B., "Encountering a Riddle," The Christian Century, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Selvanayagam, Israel, "Interpreting a Riddle: Jesus' Subversion of the Davidic Legacy," Black Theology, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Stern, Jay B., "Jesus' Citation of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 in the Light of Jewish Tradition," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1966.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Stroup, George W., "My Country 'Tis of Thee," Journal for Preachers, 2005. Sermon.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Jesus the Jester and the Gospel's New, Unsettling Riddles," Charles Campbell, 2013.
  • "Loving God with All Your Mind," the Rev. Dr. Brett Younger, Day 1, 2011.
  • Spiritual Armchairs vs. Mature Discipleship, Joseph M. Freeman, SermonStudio.
  • "What's Christianity All About?," Dr. Marcus Borg, Day 1, 2011.
  • "Inspiring Generous Faith; Engaging the Heart of the University," Rev. Craig T. Kocher, Faith and Leadership, 2009.
  • "Love Supreme," the Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel, Day 1, 2005.
  • "Searching for Better Questions," 23 Pentecost - 23 October 2005, David Zersen, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "The Hinge: The Two Great Commandments," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Ordinary 30, 2005
    • Ordinary 30, 2002
    • Ordinary 30, 1999
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," October 26, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 nad Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 andTesting the Ice by Sharon Robinson, Matthew 22:34-46 and With Love, Little Red Hen by Alma Flor Ada. 2011.
  • Dominic’s Tree, Janice Scott, The Village Shepherd
  • "I'm Number One!" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
• Liturgy:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 22:34-46, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 22:34-40, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Matthew 22:34-40, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • "O Jesus, You Were Born to Be," an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette celebrating the titles of Jesus and his teachings, including “O Master, may we learn from you, To love both God and neighbor, too.” Tune: TRURO (“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”) or TALLIS' CANON (“All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night”).
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Matthew 22:37. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Give of Your Best to the Master
    • I've Found a Friend
    • Rise Up, O Church of God
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• The Text This Week's Study-Links Pages for Parallel Passages:
  • Mark 12:28-34
  • Luke 10:25-37
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS
• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
• PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

• Year C
• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C

©1997-2020, Jenee Woodard