“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
- 6-4 BC – 30 or 33 AD
- From Judea (present-day Israel/Palestine)
- Religious leader and evangelist
- Founder of Christianity, who had a major impact on religions and cultures around the world
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Quote
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Explanation
This quote highlights the central message of Jesus’ teachings: love. By saying, “A new command I give you: Love one another,” Jesus is emphasizing the importance of love as the foundation of his ethical teachings. The command is not just to love, but to love “as I have loved you”, meaning that the standard of love is not simply human affection but the sacrificial, unconditional love demonstrated by Jesus himself. His love for his followers was selfless and transcended mere affection, requiring them to extend this same type of love to one another.
Historically, this passage comes from the Gospel of John, where Jesus gives this command to his disciples during the Last Supper. It is presented as a new command because, while love was a central tenet in Jewish law, Jesus calls for a deeper, more sacrificial love that mirrors his own. The command to love one another was meant to distinguish Jesus’ followers from others, showing that their unity and witness would be rooted in love.
In modern contexts, this message serves as a profound call to action in a world that often prioritizes individualism or division. The call to love one another, as Jesus loved, is a challenge to extend empathy, kindness, and forgiveness, even in the face of conflict or differences. For example, in communities facing political or social tension, this quote serves as a reminder to prioritize love and mutual respect over divisive ideologies. It encourages believers to approach others with the same compassion and grace that Jesus showed, fostering a sense of unity and peace.
