Luke 10:25

¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, a certain {G5100} lawyer {G3544} stood up {G450}, and {G2532} tempted {G1598} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Master {G1320}, what {G5101} shall I do {G4160} to inherit {G2816} eternal {G166} life {G2222}?

An expert in Torah stood up to try and trap him by asking, “Rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?”

One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Commentary

Luke 10:25 introduces a pivotal encounter between Jesus and a Jewish lawyer, setting the stage for one of Jesus' most profound teachings. The verse reads: "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

Context

This dialogue occurs shortly after Jesus has sent out the seventy-two disciples, and they have returned with joy, reporting their success in ministry (Luke 10:17). Jesus' teaching authority was evident, attracting both followers and those who wished to test His wisdom. The lawyer's question, while appearing sincere, is framed as a "temptation" or test, aiming to probe Jesus' understanding of the Law and His claims.

Key Themes

  • The Quest for Eternal Life: The fundamental question posed by the lawyer reflects a universal human concern: how to secure a future beyond this earthly existence. This question is central to the Gospel's message of salvation.
  • Testing Jesus' Authority: The lawyer, an expert in Mosaic Law, sought to challenge or examine Jesus. His intent was not necessarily malicious, but to see if Jesus' teachings aligned with or diverged from his own traditional interpretations of the Law.
  • Righteousness by Works vs. Grace: While the lawyer asks "what shall I do," Jesus' subsequent response (in Luke 10:26-28, leading into the Parable of the Good Samaritan) subtly shifts the focus from merely performing actions to understanding the spirit and intent of the Law, emphasizing love as its fulfillment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "tempted" is ekpeirazō (ἐκπειράζω), which means to test, try, or put to the proof. While it can imply malicious temptation, in this context, it often suggests an intellectual challenge or an attempt to trap someone in their words. The "lawyer" (Greek: nomikos, νομικός) was an expert in the Mosaic Law, akin to a scribe, deeply knowledgeable in its intricacies and interpretations.

Significance and Application

The lawyer's question, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?", remains profoundly relevant today. Jesus' response, which unfolds in the subsequent verses (Luke 10:26-28), directs the lawyer back to the core principles of the Law: love for God and love for neighbor. This encounter teaches us that true understanding of spiritual life is not merely intellectual or about performing specific actions to earn salvation, but about living out the essence of God's commands—love. This pivotal exchange then leads directly into the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating what it truly means to "do" and to "love" your neighbor.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 22:34

    ¶ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

  • Matthew 22:39

    And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Luke 18:18

    ¶ And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  • Matthew 19:16

    ¶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

  • Matthew 19:19

    Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Acts 16:30

    And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

  • Acts 16:31

    And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
← Back