Matthew 22:38 akjv — This is the first and great commandment.

American King James Version

"This is the first and great commandment. "

— Matthew 22:38, American King James Version

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Matthew 22:38 in Other Translations

7 versions All translations

KJV
“This is the first and great commandment.”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV
ASV
“This is the great and first commandment. ”
American Standard Version · Read this chapter in ASV
WEB
“This is the first and great commandment.”
World English Bible · Read this chapter in WEB
NET
“This is the first and greatest commandment.”
NET Bible · Read this chapter in NET
DRB
“This is the greatest and the first commandment.”
Douay-Rheims Bible · Read this chapter in DRB
BBE
“This is the first and greatest rule.”
Bible in Basic English · Read this chapter in BBE
KJVA
“This is the first and great commandment.”
King James Version with Apocrypha · Read this chapter in KJVA

Matthew 22 — Context

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ¶

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

Matthew 22:38 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Matthew 22:38 say?

Matthew 22:38 in the American King James Version reads: “This is the first and great commandment. ”

Where is Matthew 22:38 in the Bible?

Matthew 22:38 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 22, verse 38.

Who wrote Matthew?

Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.

What is the book of Matthew about?

Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.

What are the major themes of Matthew?

Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 22:38.

What translation should I read Matthew 22:38 in?

Matthew 22:38 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

How can I memorize Matthew 22:38?

Matthew 22:38 reads (AKJV): “This is the first and great commandment. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.

Matthew 22:38 akjv — This is the first and great commandment.

Read in Another Translation

Matthew 22:38 in Other Translations

Matthew 22 — Context

Matthew 22:38 — Frequently Asked Questions

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