Question of the Greatest Commandment

Matt. 22:34–40

28 pThen one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, 9perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the 1first commandment of all?”

29 Jesus answered him, “The 2first of all the commandments is: q‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall rlove the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 3This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: s‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than tthese.”

32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, uand there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, 4with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, vis more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

wBut after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus Questions the Leaders

Matt. 22:41–45; Luke 20:41–44

35 xThen Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said yby the Holy Spirit:

z‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

37 Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his aSon?”

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Jesus Condemns the Leaders

Matt. 23:1–14; Luke 20:45–21:4

38 Then bHe said to them in His teaching, c “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, dlove greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the ebest seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 fwho devour widows’ houses, and 5for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

41 gNow Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money hinto the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two 6mites, which make a 7quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that ithis poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, jher whole livelihood.”