Question from one of the scribes

One of the scribes was impressed witnessing how wisely Jesus refuted the Sadducees, approached Jesus and asked, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” The Pharisees taught that there were 613 commandments in the Law (Torah). It was the task of the scribes to categorize and prioritize these commandments. How Jesus responds will reveal His understanding of the Law. Depending on the answer, it could potentially lead to intense debates. This scribe posed a fundamental question about the essence of the Law. Jesus, recognizing the sincerity in the scribe’s inquiry, responded with a straightforward answer.

Jesus’ answer

Jesus summarized the teachings of the Old Testament into two commandments (note: the term “Old Testament” itself is a Gentile term; there was no such terminology at that time. The phrase, “the Law and the Prophets,” refers to what we now call the Old Testament). (1) “Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the teaching in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 known as the “Shema” (meaning “Hear” in Hebrew), which Jewish people recite daily. The one in only God, the Lord, loved Israel, and made covenant with Israel. The purpose of the Law was to learn how to love the Lord and to serve the Lord. (2) “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Regardless of the specific commandments written in the law, they are fulfilled when one practices love for God and love for neighbors. The scribe agreed with Jesus’ teaching by quoting from 1 Samuel 15:22. Not all Pharisees were obstinate. Jesus praised this scribe saying, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Even for such man, to enter the kingdom of God, faith in Jesus as the Messiah was essential. After this, no one dared to question Jesus any further. Let us, too, go into the world, reaffirming that the ultimate goal of Christianity is love.