Luke 10:33 - Printer Friendly

What does Luke 10:33 mean?

ESV: But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.

NIV: But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

NASB: But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,

CSB: But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.

NLT: Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.

KJV: But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

NKJV: But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

Verse Commentary:

Jesus is speaking to an expert in the law of Moses. They have established that to inherit eternal life, the lawyer needs to love God and his neighbor. What's crucial is to establish what that "love" means and what it looks like in practice. The lawyer is used to arguing the finer points of the Law, so he asks Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:25–29).

Jesus tells him the story of the good Samaritan. A man is beaten up, robbed, and left for dead. Two religious leaders—a priest and a Levite—see the man and pass by. Surely, if "loving your neighbor" included helping a half-dead man in distress, the leaders would respond, but they don't (Luke 10:30–32). The lawyer may think whatever love he has shown is enough.

The story continues. It is not the religious Jews who stop to help. Instead, rescue for the injured man comes from someone seen as an enemy: a Samaritan. Centuries before, the northern kingdom of Israel practiced such great idolatry that God allowed Assyria to take them into exile. The Samaritans in Jesus' time were descendants of the poorest of the Jews and the pagan immigrants the Assyrians implanted from other conquered nations. Samaritan religion was a mix of pagan religion and God-worship (2 Kings 17). Jews of Jesus' era hated them for their mixed ethnicity and their polluted version of Judaism. Not only that, but there was also political friction. When the Jews rebuilt the temple and walls around Jerusalem in Ezra and Nehemiah's day, there was strife (Ezra 4; Nehemiah 6:1–9; 13:28–29), leading to the Samaritans building their own temple on Mount Gerizim. About a century-and-a-half prior to Jesus' earthly ministry, the Hasmoneans destroyed that Samaritan temple, along with much of their land. The Samaritans sided with the Romans when they conquered Judea around 63 BC, and later Herod the Great did much to rebuild. It seems some Jews and Samaritans intentionally incited one another. For example, it is believed that some Samaritans defiled the Jewish temple with bones just a few decades prior Jesus' public ministry. During Jesus' ministry, a Samaritan town refused hospitality to Jesus and His followers; James and John offered to call down fire to destroy the town (Luke 9:51–56). Clearly the animosity was real.

Shortly before this interaction between Jesus and the lawyer, Jesus prayed to God, thanking Him that He hid His truths from "the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children" (Luke 10:21). This lawyer is the pinnacle of Jewish wisdom and understanding, as are the priest and Levite in the story. The Samaritan, on the other hand, doesn't even accept the proper worship of God; yet he knows how to love.

When the lawyer said he knew he needed to love God and others, he used the Greek word agape which means a self-giving love that sees to the needs of others. Jesus uses "compassion" which means sympathy or pity. Later, the lawyer will say the Samaritan showed "mercy" to the victim: kindness for someone in need (Luke 10:37). Jesus teaches the lawyer that to love your neighbor is to compassionately act on their behalf, even if they hate you (Luke 10:27–37).

The lawyer is not the only person listening to Jesus; the disciples are there, too. They have seen some Samaritans welcome Jesus and other reject Him (Luke 9:51–56). Soon after they establish the church, Peter and John will witness a great number of Samaritans accept Jesus as their savior (Acts 8:4–8, 14–17). In this section (Luke 9:51—19:47), Jesus prepares the disciples for their future work. They make many missteps, but their eventual acceptance of the Samaritan believers is a credit to them and God's unifying work in His church (Galatians 3:25–29; Ephesians 2:11–22).

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.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/4/2024 1:27:41 AM