Luke 10:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."

NIV: The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

NASB: And he said, 'The one who showed compassion to him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do the same.'

CSB: "The one who showed mercy to him," he said. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do the same."

NLT: The man replied, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'

KJV: And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

NKJV: And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus finishes His conversation with the lawyer. They are discussing how someone can be judged righteous at the resurrection and enter God's kingdom. The lawyer knows that loving God and neighbor is the culmination of the Mosaic law. But he wants to know who his neighbor is—to which people must he show love (Luke 10:25–29)?

Jesus proceeds to tell the parable of the good Samaritan. A man is beaten up and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without stopping. A Samaritan cares for the man, even paying two days' wages to ensure an innkeeper sees to his needs. Jesus asks the lawyer to identify which man was a neighbor to the victim (Luke 10:30–36). Dr. Darrell Bock suggests that by responding with, "the one who showed him mercy" instead of identifying the story's hero as "the Samaritan," the lawyer betrays a cultural prejudice. That may be, but it also affirms that anyone can be a neighbor to anyone else, regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, or conflict.

In the story, Jesus shows that "Who is my neighbor?" is the wrong question. He goes back to the lawyer's original question: "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25). The answer is: be a neighbor; love like a neighbor. We shouldn't ask, "Who are we supposed to love?" We're supposed to ask, "How do we become a loving person?" The priest and the Levite—like the lawyer—have head-knowledge of the Law, but no love. The Samaritan, an enemy of the Jews, is a loving person and so he loves the victim and through that love, the two become neighbors. The point here is not that good deeds lead to eternal life, but that the faith that secures eternal life expresses itself in godly love.

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.