The Great Commandment (or Greatest Commandment) is a term used in the New Testament to describe the first of two commandments cited by Jesus in Matthew 22:35–40. The two commandments are also found in Mark 12:28–34 and Luke 10:25–28. These two commandments, taken from the Law of Moses in the Old Testament, are commonly seen as important to Christian ethics.
In Matthew, when asked "which is the great commandment in the law?", the Bible reports that Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind", before also referring to a second commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself". This double reference has given rise to differing views with regard to the relationship that exists between the two commandments, although typically "love thy God" is referred to as "the first and greatest commandment", with "love thy neighbour" being referred to outside the Bible as "the second great commandment".
Read more about Great Commandment: Love The Lord Thy God, Love Thy Neighbour As Thyself
Famous quotes containing the word commandment:
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Job 23:10-12.
Job, of God.