And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While "lawyer" might sound like a modern legal professional, in this context, it refers to a scholar deeply immersed in and skilled at expounding the Law of Moses. This wasn't just a casual query; the word "testing" reveals the question was a calculated attempt to trap Jesus, hoping he'd say something that contradicted established interpretations or risked offending influential groups.
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just silenced the Sadducees with his wisdom, Jesus is now confronted by the Pharisees. They've gathered together, and one among them, a "lawyer" skilled in Moses' teachings, poses a question not necessarily out of malice, but to test Jesus on a famously debated point: which commandment is the greatest. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the profound summary of God's law.
This wasn't just any religious leader; he was a 'lawyer,' a specialist. What did that mean, and why was his approach to Jesus so significant?
The term 'lawyer' here, or 'nomikos' in Greek, refers to someone deeply learned in the Law of Moses. Think of them as legal scholars and experts of their day, similar to what we'd call scribes. They were skilled in interpreting and applying the intricacies of the Law.
This particular lawyer, as noted by commentators, likely came with a specific intent. While some scholars suggest his motive was purely malicious, others, like Ellicott and Pulpit, propose a more nuanced view: he was sent by the Pharisees to 'test' Jesus, not necessarily with outright hatred, but perhaps with a mix of genuine curiosity and a desire to trap Him. He had seen Jesus outsmart the Sadducees and wanted to see how Jesus would handle a question that had been debated for ages among the scholars: 'Which is the greatest commandment?'
His role as an expert in the Law meant he was the perfect candidate to ask a question that required deep knowledge and spiritual insight into the very core of God's commands. It was a strategic move by the Pharisees to see if Jesus' teachings aligned with or contradicted the established understanding of the Law.
The word 'tempting' can sound harsh. Was this lawyer genuinely seeking truth, or was he trying to catch Jesus in a theological trap?
The Greek word for 'tempting' (peirazon) can mean 'to test' or 'to try.' While the Pharisees who sent the lawyer clearly had a hostile agenda – hoping Jesus' answer would provide grounds to accuse Him – the lawyer himself might have had a more complex motivation.
Ask a follow-up
Some scholars, like Pulpit and Meyer, suggest the question was intended to 'ensnare' Jesus. The goal was to get Jesus to prioritize one commandment over others, potentially leading to a contradiction of the Law or a controversial statement that could be used against Him. For instance, if Jesus emphasized a ritualistic law, it might anger those who prioritized love, and vice versa.
However, other commentators like Ellicott and Bengel suggest a more honest, though still critical, approach. They point to Mark 12:34, where Jesus tells the scribe, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' This implies that while the lawyer was sent with a test, he wasn't entirely hardened in his opposition. He was likely curious about Jesus' unique perspective on the core of the Law, a question that deeply preoccupied the religious scholars of the day.
Understand the original words
nomikos · Greek Noun/Adjective
An expert in the Mosaic Law, whose primary duty was to study, interpret, and apply the Torah to the daily life of the Jewish people.
peirazō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, to put someone or something to the proof; to examine or challenge someone's character, motives, or wisdom, often with adversarial intent.
This encounter occurred during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, a period of intense confrontation with religious authorities who sought to discredit Him. The lawyer's question, while seemingly innocent, was part of a deliberate effort by the Pharisees to trap Jesus in His words.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
Jesus teaches and debates religious leaders in Jerusalem during his final week before the crucifixion.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Debates Religious Leaders
Jesus answers challenging questions from the Pharisees, Sadducees, and lawyers, exposing their motivations and theological flaws.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Silences Sadducees
Jesus refutes the Sadducees' denial of the resurrection, leaving them speechless.
c. AD 28-30
Pharisees Gather to Test Jesus
Following the Sadducees' defeat, the Pharisees convene, seeking another way to entrap Jesus.
c. AD 28-30
The Lawyer Poses a Question
A Jewish lawyer, skilled in the Law of Moses, is put forward by the Pharisees to test Jesus on the greatest commandment.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Declares the Great Commandment
Jesus identifies loving God and loving one's neighbor as the two greatest commandments, summarizing the Law and the Prophets.
This passage describes a lawyer testing Jesus with a similar question about how to inherit eternal life, highlighting the recurring theme of legal experts challenging Jesus' understanding of the Law.
Mark 12:28Mark's account of the same event shows the scribe asking which commandment is the 'greatest,' directly paralleling the focus on the core of God's law presented in Matthew 22:35.
Deuteronomy 6:5This Old Testament verse is the source of the 'greatest commandment' Jesus quotes, showing the continuity between the Law given to Israel and Jesus' teaching.
Leviticus 19:18This verse provides the second great commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' which Jesus also cites, demonstrating the foundational principles of love in the Mosaic Law.
Romans 13:9-10Paul directly references the love for God and neighbor as fulfilling the Law, reinforcing the significance of Jesus' answer to the lawyer's test.
barnesMatthew 22:35: "Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,"
A lawyer - This does nor mean one that "practiced" law, as among us, but one learned or skilled in the law of Moses. Mark calls him "one of the scribes." This means the same thing. The scribes were men of learning - particularly men skilled in the law of Moses. This lawyer had heard Jesus reasoning with the Sadducees, and perceived that he had put them to silence. He was evidently supposed by…
calvinMatthew 22:34-40: "But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together."
- But when the Pharisees heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they assembled together. 35. And one of them, a doctor of the law, put a question to him, tempting him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. Jesus saith to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. Th…
While "lawyer" might sound like a modern legal professional, in this context, it refers to a scholar deeply immersed in and skilled at expounding the Law of Moses. This wasn't just a casual query; the word "testing" reveals the question was a calculated attempt to trap Jesus, hoping he'd say something that contradicted established interpretations or risked offending influential groups.
Having just silenced the Sadducees with his wisdom, Jesus is now confronted by the Pharisees. They've gathered together, and one among them, a "lawyer" skilled in Moses' teachings, poses a question not necessarily out of malice, but to test Jesus on a famously debated point: which commandment is the greatest. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the profound summary of God's law.
Having just silenced the Sadducees with his wisdom, Jesus is now confronted by the Pharisees. They've gathered together, and one among them, a "lawyer" skilled in Moses' teachings, poses a question not necessarily out of malice, but to test Jesus on a famously debated point: which commandment is the greatest. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the profound summary of God's law.
"And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him." — While "lawyer" might sound like a modern legal professional, in this context, it refers to a scholar deeply immersed in and skilled at expounding the Law of Moses. This wasn't just a casual query; th…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026