Jesus' new commandment is explicitly stated in John 13:34:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, NIV)
This commandment emphasizes the quality and depth of love that Jesus' followers are to have for one another, modeling it on the selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus himself demonstrated.
In the New Testament, Jesus gave several commandments that emphasize love, faith, and moral living. Below is a list of key commandments attributed to Jesus:
Love God and Neighbor:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
Love One Another:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
The Golden Rule:
“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
Forgive Others:
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” (Matthew 18:21-22)
Repent:
“From that time Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matthew 4:17)
Be Humble:
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
Do Not Judge:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
Keep Your Word:
“But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool... All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:34-37)
Pray Sincerely:
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
Seek First the Kingdom of God:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Be Born Again:
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” (John 3:3)
Honor Your Parents:
“For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’” (Matthew 15:4)
Take Up Your Cross:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
Make Disciples of All Nations:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
These commandments from Jesus provide a framework for Christian living, focusing on love, humility, forgiveness, faith, and evangelism.
Jesus specifically referred to certain commandments as "my commandments" or gave them in a way that indicates they were direct commands. Here are the key instances where Jesus explicitly calls out commandments:
Love One Another:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
“This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:17)
Keep His Commandments:
“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” (John 14:21)
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10)
These passages show Jesus explicitly referring to his commandments, particularly emphasizing the command to love one another as central to his teachings. The repeated emphasis on this commandment underscores its importance in the New Testament.
