After facing all the scheming and malicious questioning from the elders and scribes, Jesus encounters a scribe with a difference. Instead of trying to trick Jesus or to prove him wrong, the single scribe sincerely wishes to know Jesus' basic orientation to faith. So, he asks Jesus to name the first or greatest commandment.

Jesus responds by naming two commandments. He begins first by quoting the opening formula of the traditional Shema prayer, which every Israelite recited twice a day: "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!" Jesus then joins this commandment to that of loving one's neighbour. In this way, Jesus brings together the two commandments given by Moses to Israel, that is, love God (Deut. 6:2) and love neighbour (Lev. 19:18).

The scribe appreciates Jesus' response. He sees how Jesus had combined two commands into one dual commandment. He also hears in Jesus' response the echo of another Old Testament prophet, Hosea, who had declared that love, not sacrifice, is what God desires of all people (Hos 6:6).

Jesus practiced what he taught. He showed in his life and death the quality of this twofold love. His love for God motivated his total dedication to humanity and his love for humanity finds its source in his love for God. Indeed, our love for one another is the real test of our love for God. We cannot have one without the other.