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NASB | Matthew 22:40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:40 "The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments." |
Bible Question: In Matthew 22:36-40 the greatest commandments are given. In verse 40 Jesus states that all the law and the prophets hang on these commandments. I understand what the law means in this statement but what does he mean by the prophets hang on these commandments? Why would the prophets hang on these commandments. I know hang is not literally meaning "to hang" as in an execution. It seems to me that the prophets wouldn't mean anything if these two commandments weren't followed or existed. Any great insight? |
Bible Answer: Jesus may have been referring to the way the Old Testament was read in the synagogue. Just as some churches today have schedules of readings, which must be read on specific weeks of the year, so the Jews have scheduled readings. Each sabbath, a specific portion of the Torah - the books of Moses - must be read with an accompanying portion from the Prophets. For example, the first reading for the beginning of a new year is from Genesis 1:1 - 6:8 (the Torah portion), and this is accompanied with a reading from Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10. When Jesus read from Isaiah in the synagogue of Nazareth, he was giving the second reading for that sabbath. (Luke 4:16-19) Due to this practice, any given Torah portion would immediately bring to mind its corresonding section from the Prophets. Also, there are ethical commands in the Prophets instructing the Israelites to turn back to the Law. There are not just predictions of the future. For example: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:20) "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die." (Ezek. 18:21) "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 22:40 | Author | ||
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Hank | ||
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ranaymarie | ||
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sailor | ||
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Arnold | ||
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Rowdy | ||
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saracharles |