Luke 10:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

NIV: But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

NASB: But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'

CSB: But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

NLT: The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'

KJV: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

NKJV: But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus is interacting with a lawyer of the Pharisees: an expert in both the Mosaic and Oral Laws. After the return from exile in Babylon, Jewish religious leaders wanted to ensure Jews would remain faithful to God and not risk another exile. They added extra regulations to the Mosaic law to guard people from coming near to breaking the Law. Over time, those were treated as mandatory and just as important as the written laws of Moses. Jesus condemns these added regulations, calling them "heavy burdens, hard to bear" (Matthew 23:4).

This lawyer asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus, in turn, challenges him to find the answer in the Mosaic law. The lawyer answers correctly, saying he must love God and love his neighbor. Yet he wants minute details—implying loopholes—such as the Oral Law would give (Luke 10:25–28). He asks Jesus to define "neighbor." He may be thinking of the laws to treat "the sons of your own people" as neighbors and the sojourner, who would obey the basics of the Mosaic law, as a native (Leviticus 19:18, 33–34). To the scribe, this may mean devout Jews and proselytes, but certainly not anyone who was not faithful to the Law.

Jesus responds in an unusual way. He has already spoken extensively on what it means to love one's enemy (Luke 6:27–36). Now He flips it and tells the story of a Samaritan who loves his Jewish enemy. Love turns an enemy into a neighbor.

The lawyer asks this question seeking to "justify himself." We see this with the rich ruler, as well (Mark 10:17–22). The young man asks the same question: how to inherit eternal life. Jesus replies with the second half of the Ten Commandments, which describe proper treatment of other people. The man affirms he had lived by those rules. Jesus saw it was true and "looking at him, love[s] him" (Mark 10:21). But, as with the lawyer, Jesus doesn't let him off the hook. He tells the young man to sell everything and give to the poor. It's not that total abandonment of material goods is required to be saved, but that a heart completely dedicated to God will be willing to sacrifice anything He asks for the sake of following Him.

In the same way, Jesus will tell the lawyer that everyone is his neighbor—even his enemies. A heart completely dedicated to God will be willing to demonstrate love even to those who oppose them. None of us naturally have such hearts, however. It's why we need Jesus' sacrifice. No person can justify themselves. But if we accept forgiveness from Christ, He becomes our justification (Romans 3:19–26).

Jesus commissions seventy-two of His followers for a unique mission. They are sent into towns and villages, preparing people for Jesus' ministry. Those who accept the message will be blessed; those who reject it will be left behind. The disciples return celebrating what they have seen and accomplished. Jesus reminds them that salvation is the real victory. The parable of the good Samaritan explains that the obligation to love extends to anyone and everyone. A visit to the home of Martha and Mary offers a contrast between good things and the best things.

Luke 10 provides the bulk of the first section of what some refer to as Jesus' travelogue (Luke 9:51—19:27). In this extended description of travels and events, Jesus draws away from public ministry and theological debates. His focus is preparing His disciples for what will happen in Jerusalem, by teaching them about the kingdom of God. In Luke 9:51—11:13, the disciples gradually learn how to properly follow Jesus. Next, the Pharisees will reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54) and Jesus will teach more about the kingdom (Luke 12:1—19:27). After the travelogue, Jesus will enter Jerusalem and face crucifixion.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.