Luke 10:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

NIV: 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.

NASB: and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

CSB: He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

NLT: Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.

KJV: And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

NKJV: So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

A Jewish lawyer knows he needs to love God and love his neighbor to inherit the gift of eternal life. These two commands encompass the spirit of the Mosaic law. Ever ready to debate, the lawyer wants to know who he is supposed to show his love to. Who is his neighbor (Luke 10:25–29)?

Jesus turns the question around. Israelites of that era despised Samaritans for their mixed heritage, corrupted religion, and centuries of political strife. By making the Samaritan the one who shows love—surpassing that of Jewish religious leaders—Jesus explains that showing love is not merely a task. It should be a natural expression of one's character. God expects us to be people of love, not merely people who love.

The Samaritan's initial ministrations are selfless. He shares his own supply of oil and wine and may have had to tear his own clothes to make bandages. Oil keeps the skin soft so it won't dry out; wine is the first medication and prevents infection. Jesus does not include in His story whether the Samaritan was riding the animal, and now must walk, or if he was using it as a pack animal and now needs to carry his cargo. The point Jesus is making is that the Samaritan freely shares his own supplies, and goes out of his way, to care for the wounded man. The Samaritan pays for a room and tends to the victim all night. When he leaves the next morning, he pays two days' wages. That likely would have covered more than three weeks of room and board. When he leaves, he promises to return and compensate the innkeeper for any other expenses (Luke 10:35).

Luke 10:29–37 contains the famous parable of the good Samaritan. A lawyer asked Jesus about salvation; Jesus asks the lawyer how he reads the Law. They agree that the core of the Mosaic law is to love God and love one's neighbor. Seeking a loophole, the lawyer asks who he must consider a "neighbor." In response, Jesus tells the story in this passage. The implication is that a "neighbor" is anyone in need. Luke is the only author to include this parable.

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.