The most important command

The Life of Jesus Christ - Chapter 9 - Jesus' last week in Jerusalem - Part 8

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An online Bible Study course by Barrie Wetherill about the life of Jesus. This book is in EasyEnglish Level B. Use the links below for other online Bible Study books and commentaries that will help you. Or go to the Word List, which explains words with a *star.

Easy English Bible homepage | Matthew (commentary) | Mark (commentary) | Luke (commentary) | John (commentary)

The Sadducees had nothing more to say. Now the leaders of the *Pharisees came to Jesus. One leader was a man who really knew God's law. He asked Jesus which was the most important command. The *Pharisees often discussed this. There are 613 commands in the law. They wanted to obey them all. (But often they only obeyed their own ideas about the commands).

Jesus’ reply was beautiful. He spoke words from the *Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18).

Jesus was saying what we must do. It is our duty to love God and to love other people. We must love very sincerely. This is the most important thing in our life. Of course, the *Pharisees did not like to speak about love. They thought that to obey the law very accurately was more important. When Mark wrote about this conversation, he told us more. He said that the *Pharisees liked Jesus’ answer. After all, his answer was from the law. They would not oppose God's law!

Jesus showed great wisdom in all these conversations. His enemies hoped that he would make a mistake. He did not. But now Jesus asked them a question. He left them without an answer.