why did jesus only mention 6 commandments


To give false testimony against a neighbor is to knowingly lie about that person in a way that will cause him or her harm, such as in a legal proceeding. Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Jesus answered with examples: Notice that the lists of commands are mostly the same between the three accounts, but not exactly the same. Jesus then even invites him to join his disciples, something Jesus has done only a few times. Hes fulfilled the assignment. Committing adultery adds a third person to the marriage and, thereby, violates the sanctity of the holy union. Why does Mark have Eloi and Matthew have Eli for the same statement? Our love for God is manifested and demonstrated in the way that we love our neighbor. You shall not murder (Matthew, Mark, Luke), You shall not commit adultery (Matthew, Mark, Luke), You shall not steal (Matthew, Mark, Luke), You shall not bear false witness (Matthew, Mark, Luke), Honor your father and mother (Matthew, Mark, Luke), You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew). The proscription here is against using the name of God disrespectfully or in disregard of its holy nature. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8). A man rushes up to Jesus and, kneeling before him, wanted to know what things he should do to obtain eternal life. 7 Spiritual Elements in Thor: Love and Thunder. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Brother Silas Henderson, SDS - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 10/28/17. We are to speak and use Gods name only with the highest reverence. Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries. And, in the end, as we can see, these are not mutually exclusive commands. Why did it take 35-40 years to write the Gospels? This is the greatest and the first commandment. Why does Matthew mention the exception to divorce but Mark and Luke dont? I have a question, you might be able to answer. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below (Exodus 20:4; 1 John 5:21; Acts 17:29). The young man could not make himself do this one thing, even though he was assured that he would have eternal life if he did it. What Does it Mean to Walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Death? Jesus understood his sincere desire to do what was right. In fact, and as annotated above, the New Testament reinforces the importance of abiding by nine of the Ten Commandments numerous times (with the exception of the Commandment on keeping the Sabbath, which is referenced but not explicitly reiterated in the New Testament). Looking at the combined list, what we notice is that Jesus focuses on the commands that deal with a mans relationship with his fellow man. The underlying value in the reading assigned for this Sunday is that we are obliged to treat others the way we would want to be treated ourselves and we must protect and value foreigners, widows, and orphansrepresenting non-people and those on the margins of societythe way we would want our own family members to be treated. While the love of God always comes first, our response to that love should take us outside of ourselves as we are asked to share with others the love and compassion that we have received from God. From Matthews account, we learn that he is a young man (Matthew 19:20). Instead, they complement one another. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. May God continue to bless you and the congregation where you minister. Scripture is clear that were to observe the Sabbath as Gods holy day of rest from work and as a day of sacred assembly (Exodus 20:8-10; Genesis 2:2; Leviticus 23:3). Despite this, we know that the Christian faith is communal in nature, as evident in Jesus teaching us to pray to our Father, and not individually to my Father, and at Jesus assertion that where two or three gather in His name, there is He with them ((Matthew 6:9; Matthew 18:20). Since the Garden of Eden, man has rebelled against God. The fact that love is the binding theme of the Ten Commandments is no surprise when we consider Gods perfectlove for His Creation. How do you demonstrate your love for God? What Is the Significance of Gods Call to Samuel? The purpose behind this Commandment is not so much to protect our possessions but to safeguard the stability of our society. Why Is Holding Fast to the Faith Important? This particular Commandment stands out because it deals with taking control of our inappropriate feelings. Dolores Smyth is a nationally published faith and parenting writer. In modern times, this Commandment is a warning against elevating money or other worldly things to god-like status in our lives. One of the assignments that students find most challenging is condensing a chapter or book into a brief, concise summary. He is pointing out to this young man where the source of his greatest hindrance to righteousness lies.

In return, the Commandment promises that if children respect their parents, the children will enjoy a long, successful life. The 613 laws consisted of civil rules that governed the Israelites day-to-day life, ceremonial rules that governed the worship of God in the Temple, and moral rules (better known as the Ten Commandments) that concisely summarized all of the Old Testament laws as to how people interacted with God and with each other. Even here we see the hint of the good in the young man, for he did not scoff at Jesus command. You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28; Romans 13:9). Honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2-3; Luke 18:20).

Is there no proof who really wrote the four gospels?

There is very good information cited in them. The Commandments set Gods people apart, identify right from wrong, and uphold the ultimate importance of love for God and neighbor in promoting peace in this life and salvation after. Just as a loving parent lays down ground rules for his child to follow to lead a safe and successful life, God the Father gave us the Ten Commandments to help us lead our best lives with regard to the relationships that matter most our relationship with Him and our relationship with each other. Jesus Christs death and Resurrection did away with the need for laws involving bloody Temple sacrifices and other Old Testament laws that no longer applied to those saved by faith in Christ. Thank you very much.

You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 13:9). Paul expanded upon this overarching theme of love when he wrote that the Commandments against adultery, murder, stealing, and coveting are summed up in one command: Love your neighbor as yourself (Romans 13:8-9). This Commandment tells believers to respect and obey their father and mother. God gave the Ten Commandments to the people of the Old Testament covenant. In Matthew 19:18-19, why did Jesus only cite six of the ten commandments to the rich young ruler and not all?

Thus, establishing his authority to answer the young mans question, Jesus stated that he needed to keep the commandments if he wanted to enter eternal life. Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reachmore than 20 million unique users per month! The core of the young man's problems was that he did not place other people ahead of himself (Philippians 2:3-4). In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments formed part of the 613 laws that governed ancient Hebrew society.

Jesus is not saying that everyone must sell everything they have to be a disciple of his. His wealth, mentioned in all three accounts, probably accounts for his position. There was one thing lacking in his life which would make him complete. This Commandment is not explicitly reiterated in the New Testament, but the Sabbaths existence at the time of Jesus is referenced (Luke 4:16; 23:55-56). Jesus wasn't strictly focusing on the Ten Commandments. This Commandment calls for us to control any longing we may have for the belongings of others. Scripture makes a distinction between murder and killing as seen in Pauls discussion on the right of the government to kill evildoers (Romans 13:1-4). Jesus explained that the Commandments require a committed and humble love of God, and a committed and humble love of our fellow man (Matthew 22:34-40). Starting with Adam and Eve, the Bible teaches that once a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24) joined together before God (Mark 10:7-9). Why Did God Have to Give His People the 10 Commandments? But, Jesus doesnt stop there. If Jesus says that any one commandment is greater than another or, worse yet, implies that some commandments can be dismissed, then they will have him! Connect with her over Twitter @byDoloresSmyth. The account of the Rich Young Ruler is found in Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; and Luke 18:18-23. Jesus Himself identified the main thread running through the Ten Commandments with a single word: Love. Its quite difficult to take the words and ideas of another person, reflect on them, discern what is most important in the text, and then present the most important points or themes in your own words. This sense of connection between our love of God and the way that we love our neighbor is expressed in powerful and vivid language in our First Reading, taken from the Book of Exodus. In other words, we are not to desire or set our sights on anything that rightfully belongs to someone else. He continues by paraphrasing a text from the Book of Leviticus (19:18): You shall love your neighbor as yourself. This can include a desire for a neighbors physical possessions or a longing for people that form part of our neighbors life. It grieved him that he wasnt able to find within himself the ability to carry out the command. In a sense, this is the task that is being presented to Jesus in todays Gospel. Love will be the whole syllabus.Saint Robert Bellarmine. Why are Jesus genealogies in Matthew and Luke so different. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. It wasn't because of greed because Jesus didn't mention the command "You shall not covet." Receive notification whenever items are posted to this site: You can change your delivery preferences in your subscription dashboard. He knew that he kept these commands, but he also knew within himself that something important was missing. However, this was not specific enough for the young man. When theft goes unpunished, people become fearful and resort to potentially violent means to secure and retrieve what belongs to them. What does it mean when Jesus says my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30)? And yet, as teachers and professors can attest, this is an invaluable way of helping students hold on to what is most important for their studies. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God (Exodus 20:7; James 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:1).

Copyright 2002-2022 Got Questions Ministries. Jesus is in conversation with the religious leaders of the Jewish people and they continue to question him, hoping to trip him up by asking for impossible answers. Another interpretation is offered by Scripture scholar Barbara Reid, who writes, The Pharisees were trying to see if Jesus could match other famous teachers of the time who could summarize the law. Its obviously a trap. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. (Matthew 10:37-39). Here, Mosesspeaking as Gods ambassadoris offering a series of instructions that form a sort of commentary on the Ten Commandments. To answer their question, Jesus does exactly what many students today dread: he summarizes the main points of the Law in two clear, concise instructions. On the dashboard, you can adjust how often you are notified of changes to La Vista's website. Why Does Jeremiah Remind Us God Is Great? This is a prohibition against taking something that isnt rightfully yours. Also, Matthew and Mark include commands that are not in the Ten Commandments. Here, Mosesspeaking as Gods ambassadoris offering a series of instructions that form a sort of commentary on the. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/rudall30. On this 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, our Gospel is a continuation of the passages we have heard over the past two Sundays. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2022, Christianity.com. How do the teachings about aliens, orphans and widows in the First Reading challenge you be attentive to the needs of others. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16; Colossians 3:9-10; Revelation 21:8). All rights reserved. You shall not covet (Exodus 20:17; Colossians 3:5; Romans 13:9). The Ten Commandments also called the Decalogue represent Gods personal interest in bringing out the best in His children so that we may live life to the fullest (John 10:10). All rights reserved. The importance of truthful testimony is seen in our modern judicial system, which punishes as perjury false testimony in a legal matter. The word murder is operative here, as the Commandment forbids the taking of anothers life unlawfully. Is there something that we hold dearer than life itself, something that we couldnt bring ourselves to give up, even for heaven? In this Sundays passage, Jesus is asked which of the commandments of the Law is the most important. Just as a loving parent lays down ground rules for his child to follow to lead a safe and successful life, God the Father gave us the Ten Commandments to help us lead our best lives with regard to our relationship with Him and our relationship with each other. She draws inspiration for her writing from everyday life. Sadly, we see that Jesus was correct. In the last day, when the general examination takes place, there will be no questions on the text of Aristotle, the aphorisms of Hippocrates, or the paragraphs of Justinian. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Possibly attempting to be polite, the young man calls Jesus Good Teacher. Jesus doesnt object to the use of the word good because he wasnt good, but he points out that only God is truly good; therefore, by referring to him as good the young man was unknowingly calling Jesus God. How does your love for God inspire the love and care you have for others? From Lukes account, we learn that he is a ruler (Luke 18:18), probably referring to holding a position in the synagogue, which normally is reserved for elderly Jews. In the end, the Readings assigned to this Sunday form a lesson in the relationship between love and justice. He has found a way to articulate the most important values of the Commandments with two very clear statements which are themselves drawn from the Law.

The underlying value in the reading assigned for this Sunday is that we are obliged to treat others the way we would want to be treated ourselves and we must protect and value foreigners, widows, and orphansrepresenting non-people and those on the margins of societythe way we would want our own family members to be treated. If he could go and sell all he had, give to the poor, then he would be assured of eternal life. . Mark mentions that Jesus answered him out of love (Mark 10:21). This is a prohibition against worshipping or bowing down to anything instead of God. Why Did Jesus Tell Us to Be of Good Cheer? The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. It appears the young man thought that heaven would be gained by doing some great work, rather than by being what God wanted him to be.

First, bringing together the principles of the first three of the Ten Commandments (which are directed to our relationship with God), he responds by paraphrasing the Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9): You shall love the Lord, your god, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13; 1 John 3:15; Romans 13:9). How have you experienced Gods love in your life? What are the signs of that love? How far do we help with the wedding of a young man who got a girl pregnant? But the young man wanted something more specific to his situation, so he asked Jesus which commands did he need to follow. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments., , for example, summed up the commandments thus: What is hateful to you do not do to you neighbor (, . What Does the Bible Say about Self-Control? You Can Share a Gift & a Bible With a Fatherless Boy. It is something we should all consider as well. This man valued wealth too much (I Timothy 6:17-19; Hebrews 10:34). In ancient times, this law steered people away from the many false gods worshipped by various cultures. Despite this and because sin continues to exist in the world, the New Testament affirms that the Ten Commandments are still essential laws that should govern a Christians life today. I visit your site often to look up topics and articles. After all, there are seven other Commandments addressing how we relate to other people. This instruction makes clear that God is the one true God and that we are to worship Him only. The Ten Commandments serve not only as a moral code of conduct for todays Christian but as a stark reminder that we are all in need of a Savior because no one can perfectly abide by all of the Commandments all of the time. The Ten Commandments can be divided into two parts: The first four Commandments deal with our relationship with God, and the last six Commandments deal with our relationship with one another. Rabbi Hillel, for example, summed up the commandments thus: What is hateful to you do not do to you neighbor (Abiding Word, Year A). This gives us a hint that the lists given are summaries of what Jesus said. Words of Wisdom: The school of Christ is the school of love. If you wish to cancel your subscription, you can click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email or visit your subscription dashboard and unsubscribe from there, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window).

You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3; Matthew 4:10; 1 Timothy 2:5). By this list, Jesus is hinting that the area he needed to work most upon lies in this realm of commands.

As Jesus sagely pointed out, sin often originates with a covetous feeling that can lead a person to break one of the other Commandments, such as that against murder, adultery, or theft (Matthew 5:28; Luke 6:45). Rather, the Commandments serve as signposts that point us to the straight and narrow path while showing us our need for a Savior when we inevitably stray from that path. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The Old Testament laws that did become part of the New Testament covenant were the moral laws written in stone and placed in the Ark of the Covenant the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Kings 8:9). The Ten Commandments are not an onerous set of rules we should follow out of fear or guilt. Why did Jesus have to experience so much suffering? Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler he could be saved by obeying the commandments?

To help free humanity from this propensity to sin and help each of us to lead our best lives, God handed down the Ten Commandments as a code of moral laws for us to live by.