Luke 10:27-37
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:27-37: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 27: “He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
This verse encapsulates the essence of the Law. Loving God fully and loving your neighbor as yourself are the greatest commandments. They summarize the entire moral duty of a believer.
Verse 28: “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Jesus affirms the correctness of the answer. He emphasizes that living out these commandments leads to true life. It’s not just about knowing the law but practicing it.
Verse 29: But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
The expert in the law seeks to limit his responsibility. By asking who his neighbor is, he attempts to narrow the scope of whom he must love.
Verse 30: In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
Jesus begins a parable to illustrate the point. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was known for its danger. The man’s plight is severe, highlighting his desperate need for help.
Verse 31: A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
The priest, a religious leader, sees the injured man but chooses to avoid him. This action is contrary to the law of love he is supposed to uphold.
Verse 32: So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
Similarly, the Levite, another religious figure, also avoids the man. Both the priest and the Levite fail to show compassion.
Verse 33: But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
The Samaritan, considered an outsider and enemy by Jews, shows compassion. His actions contrast sharply with those of the religious leaders.
Verse 34: He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
The Samaritan provides immediate and practical help. He uses his own resources to tend to the man’s wounds and ensures his continued care.
Verse 35: The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
The Samaritan goes further by providing for the man’s future needs. His generosity is boundless, showing true neighborly love.
Verse 36: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Jesus asks a pointed question. He shifts the focus from identifying a neighbor to being a neighbor.
Verse 37: The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The expert correctly identifies the Samaritan as the true neighbor. Jesus commands him to emulate the Samaritan’s example of mercy and compassion.