The Capernaum Synagogue

One day Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue in Capernaum where He lived.  The ruling Jews known as the Sadducees and Pharisees were always questioning Jesus because they wanted to trap Him in His words.  These men were always hungry for power and they desperately wanted to stop Jesus and His ministry.  On this particular day, they asked Jesus which commandment is the greatest.

“Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.”

Matthew 22:15

They thought they were so wise and they had come up with a question that would stop Jesus.  I’m sure they thought Jesus might answer “do not murder” or one of the other ten commandments, but Jesus did not give them the answer they assumed.

I will tell you the answer Jesus gave them in a moment, but first, enjoy a trip to the Synagogue in Capernaum where this conversation took place!  I want to visit this place right now!  This is the area where Jesus lived and ministered from A.D. 30 until He was crucified in A.D. 33.  What a beautiful land!

So, this is where Jesus was when He gave His answer to the Pharisees who questioned Him with ill intent:

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:34-40

The Pharisees had nothing left to say after that, so while they were all gathered together in the Synagogue Jesus took the opportunity to ask them a question in return.

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ?  Whose son is he?”

“The son of David, ” they replied.

He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’?

For he says,

” ‘The Lord said to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand

until I put your enemies

under your feet.” ‘

If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.”

Matthew 22:41-46

That is just awesome!  His answer and question were so powerful that it left the whole group of men who were supposed to be the wisest in all the land totally speechless!  After that, He didn’t have to answer any more of their sinful questions.

Do what Jesus said.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind!  Love your neighbor as yourself!  The entire Bible hangs on those two commandments! Remember, Jesus is Lord, and that is what He was explaining to them!

Those are three Truths that everyone needs to know!

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind!

2. Love your neighbor as yourself!

3. Jesus is Lord!

That was quite a moment of teaching in the Synagogue that day!  Powerful enough to leave a person speechless indeed!  Praise the Lord!

Grace and peace to you all!