Sermon Tone Analysis

(Why is the Pharisee’s question such a test for Jesus?)

“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’

Why is this such a test for Jesus?

Couldn’t the Pharisees have asked a more difficult question?

Why is this such a test for Jesus?

Couldn’t the Pharisees have asked a more difficult question?

The Pharisees ask this question because they think it is THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION when it comes to understanding the Scriptures.

The Pharisees ask this question because they think it is THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION when it comes to understanding the Scriptures.

It is certainly an important question that begs to be answered.

This is why Jesus doesn’t avoid it.

Jesus answers them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the great and first commandment.

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

It is certainly an important question that begs to be answered.

This is why Jesus doesn’t avoid it.

Jesus answers them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the great and first commandment.

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Jesus is asked a seemingly non-controversial question and the offers a seemingly non-controversial answer.

Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees is a genuine answer.

The question is absolutely important.

And Jesus’ answer is absolutely true and vital to understanding the Scriptures.

Love God with everything you are and have.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

The Law and Prophets depend on this.

Jesus is asked a seemingly non-controversial question and he offers a seemingly non-controversial answer.

Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees is a genuine answer.

The question is absolutely important.

And Jesus’ answer is absolutely true and vital to understanding the Scriptures.

Love God with everything you are and have.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

The Law and Prophets depend on this.

Jesus isn’t saying something new here.

The Pharisees expect the answer that Jesus gives.

Jesus is citing the “SHEMA”, that is, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” ().

The second commandment is from , “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as your self: I am the LORD.”

Jesus isn’t saying something new here.

The Pharisees expect the answer that Jesus gives.

Jesus is citing the “SHEMA”, that is, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” ().

The second commandment is from , “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”

Our Gospel lesson today is also not the first time in Matthew that Jesus has taught the importance of these great commandments in the Law.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” ().

A few chapters later, Jesus says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” ().

When the rich young man comes to Jesus asking which commandments he must keep to have eternal life, Jesus says, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” ().

Obviously, the commandments are important.

You must keep them to inherit eternal life.

This is also not the first time in Matthew that Jesus has taught the importance of these great commandments in the Law.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” ().

A few chapters later, Jesus says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” ().

When the rich young man comes to Jesus asking which commandments he must keep to have eternal life, Jesus says, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” ().

Obviously, the commandments are important.

You must keep them to inherit eternal life.

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In our Gospel lesson today, Jesus sums up the entire moral law, the 10 Commandments, in two categories.

We call these the Two Tables of the Law.

Commandments 1-3 concern love toward God.

Commandments 4-10 concern love toward our neighbor.

It is necessary to keep both tables of the Law in order to have everlasting life.

Jesus’ answer to the Pharisee sums up the entire moral law, the 10 Commandments, into two categories.

We call these the Two Tables of the Law.

Commandments 1-3 concern love toward God.

Commandments 4-10 concern love toward our neighbor.

It is necessary to keep both tables of the Law in order to have everlasting life.

The Pharisees see this as the heart and soul of the Scriptures.

That is why they test Jesus with this question.

By asking this question they reveal their own understanding of God’s Word.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

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When the rich young man tcomes to Jesus asking which commandments he must keep to have eternal life, Jesus says, ).

When the rich young maun tcomes to Jesus asking which commandments he must keep to have eternal life, Jesus says, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (

They aren’t far from the truth.

That is why Jesus answers their question the way he does.

It is absolutely true that the Law of Love, love toward God and neighbor, is the heart and soul of God’s Word.

Everything hangs on this Law of Love.

After all, it is Jesus who says that one must keep the Law to enter eternal life.

Jesus also says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” ().

(Why does Jesus ask what they think of the Christ?

What does this have to do with the first question?)

But why isn’t the conversation over here?

What is left to say? Jesus is asked an important question and gives the important and correct answer.

Why does Jesus ask what they think of the Christ?

“Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ?