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 .