complete verse (Matthew 22:38)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 22:38:

  • Uma: “That is the command that is the greatest, and is indeed the first.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “This,’ said Isa, ‘is the greatest command of all.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “This is the greatest commandment, the first of all.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “This is the most-important command of God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “This one is the most important law.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “This word is what God considers more important for people to do.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 22:38

Jesus’ response combines great (see verse 36) with first (see Mark 12.28). In such a context first is the equivalent of “most important” (Good News Translation). Sometimes the emphasis can be conveyed with a sentence such as “This commandment is the most important of all.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:38



22:38

This is the great and first commandment: As in 22:36, the phrase the great…commandment indicates the one which surpasses all the others in importance.

The phrase first commandment refers to both the first one in terms of greatness, and the first of two commandments. The lawyer only asked for the greatest commandment. But Jesus expanded his answer to include a second commandment (in 22:39). Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

This is the first and greatest commandment (NET Bible)
-or-
This first commandment surpasses all others in importance.

-or-

This is the greatest rule and the most important of all God’s Laws. (Easy English Bible)

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