Luke 10:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:25 presents a pivotal encounter where a lawyer, an expert in Jewish law, approaches Jesus with a seemingly earnest but ultimately testing question: "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" This inquiry sets the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on the essence of the Law and its fulfillment through love, culminating in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, thereby challenging conventional understandings of righteousness and neighborly duty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This exchange immediately follows the joyful return of the seventy-two disciples, whom Jesus had sent out with authority to heal and preach the kingdom of God ([Luke 10:17-20](/luke/10-17-20 "Luke 10:17-20 - The Return of the Seventy-Two")). Their successful mission underscores Jesus' divine authority and the power of His message, drawing both genuine seekers and those, like this lawyer, who wished to scrutinize or challenge His teachings. The lawyer's question serves as a direct lead-in to Jesus' exposition on the Greatest Commandment ([Luke 10:26-28](/luke/10-26-28 "Luke 10:26-28 - Jesus' Response to the Lawyer")), which then prompts the lawyer's follow-up question, "Who is my neighbor?" ([Luke 10:29](/luke/10-29 "Luke 10:29 - The Lawyer's Question")), initiating the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan. Thus, this verse is not an isolated incident but the narrative pivot for one of Jesus' most impactful parables on practical love.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "lawyer" (Greek: _nomikós_) was a scribe or expert in the Mosaic Law, deeply versed in its intricate details, interpretations, and applications. These individuals were highly respected, often serving as judges or teachers within Jewish society. Their role was to preserve and interpret the Torah, including the vast body of oral traditions that had accumulated around it. The question "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" was a common and serious theological inquiry among Jews of this period, reflecting a deep concern for one's standing before God and one's destiny in the age to come. This question was typically debated within rabbinic schools, and answers often revolved around strict adherence to the commandments and ritual purity. The lawyer's "temptation" (Greek: _ekpeirázō_) was likely an intellectual challenge or an attempt to test Jesus' theological alignment, rather than a malicious trap, to see if Jesus' understanding of salvation aligned with or departed from established legalistic interpretations.

* **Key Themes:** The verse introduces several significant themes that resonate throughout Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **The Quest for Eternal Life**, a universal human longing for ultimate meaning and a future beyond mortal existence, which the Gospel consistently presents as a gift from God through Christ ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Testing Jesus' Authority and Wisdom**. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was frequently challenged by religious leaders who sought to discredit Him or expose perceived doctrinal errors ([Matthew 22:15-46](/matthew/22-15-46 "Matthew 22:15-46 - Challenges to Jesus' Authority")). The lawyer's question is a prime example of such an attempt to probe the depth of Jesus' understanding of the Law. Finally, the interaction implicitly raises the tension between **Righteousness by Works vs. Righteousness by Grace**. The lawyer's emphasis on "what shall I do" reflects a common legalistic approach to salvation, contrasting with the New Testament's emphasis on faith and God's unmerited favor, though Jesus' response here redirects the lawyer to the spirit of the Law, foreshadowing the fulfillment of the Law through love ([Romans 10:4-13](/romans/10-4-13 "Romans 10:4-13 - Righteousness by Faith")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tempted (Greek, _ekpeirázō_):** From _ek_ (out) and _peirázō_ (to test, try). This word means to test thoroughly, to put to the proof, or to examine. While it can imply malicious temptation (as in Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness), in this context, it more likely signifies an intellectual challenge or an attempt to scrutinize Jesus' knowledge and teaching, perhaps to find fault or to gauge His alignment with traditional Jewish legal interpretations. It suggests a deliberate, probing inquiry rather than a simple question.
* **lawyer (Greek, _nomikós_):** Derived from _nómos_ (law). This term specifically refers to an expert in the Mosaic Law, someone skilled in interpreting and applying the Torah and its associated traditions. They were highly educated legal scholars, often associated with the scribal class, whose primary role was to preserve and teach the intricacies of Jewish law. The presence of such an individual highlights the seriousness of the theological discussion.
* **eternal (Greek, _aiṓnios_):** From _aiṓn_ (an age, a long period of time, eternity). This adjective describes something pertaining to an age or eternity, conveying the sense of perpetual, everlasting, or without end. It denotes not merely duration but also quality, referring to the life that belongs to the age to come, God's own life, which transcends temporal limitations.
* **life (Greek, _zōḗ_):** This noun refers to life in its fullest sense, both physical and spiritual. In the context of "eternal life," it signifies the divine, imperishable life that originates from God and is given to believers. It is a quality of existence, a participation in God's own being, characterized by spiritual vitality, communion with God, and unending duration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up":** The phrase "And, behold" (Greek: _kaí idoú_) serves as an attention-grabber, signaling the introduction of a new, significant character and event. The "lawyer" (a _nomikós_) is immediately identified as an expert in Jewish law, highlighting the intellectual and theological weight of the upcoming interaction. His act of "standing up" suggests a formal, deliberate challenge or inquiry, typical of a public debate or scholarly discourse.
* **"and tempted him":** The verb "tempted" (Greek: _ekpeirázō_) indicates that the lawyer's question was not merely innocent curiosity. It was a test, a deliberate attempt to probe Jesus' understanding, perhaps to expose a perceived weakness in His teaching or to draw Him into a controversial statement regarding the Law. This sets up a dynamic of intellectual and spiritual challenge.
* **"saying, Master":** The lawyer addresses Jesus as "Master" (Greek: _didáskalos_), a common term of respect for a teacher or rabbi. This respectful address, however, is juxtaposed with the intent to "tempt," suggesting a calculated approach rather than genuine reverence. It acknowledges Jesus' public reputation as a teacher while simultaneously preparing to scrutinize His doctrine.
* **"what shall I do":** This phrase reveals the lawyer's underlying theological framework: a focus on human effort and action as the means to achieve righteousness and salvation. It reflects a common legalistic mindset prevalent among some Jewish religious leaders, where adherence to commandments and good deeds were seen as the path to meriting God's favor and eternal life.
* **"to inherit eternal life?":** This is the core of the lawyer's question, representing the ultimate human aspiration for salvation and a blessed future. "Eternal life" (Greek: _zōḗ aiṓnios_) signifies not just unending existence, but a quality of life that is divine, spiritual, and characterized by communion with God. The verb "inherit" (Greek: _klēronoméō_) implies receiving something as an heir, often by right or legacy, which in this context points to the eschatological hope of participating in God's kingdom and its blessings.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narrative in this verse employs several significant literary devices. The opening phrase, "**And, behold**," functions as an **interjection** or **exclamation**, drawing the reader's immediate attention to the sudden appearance of the lawyer and the impending confrontation. This creates a sense of dramatic anticipation. The lawyer's question itself is a **rhetorical question** in its form, though it is posed as a genuine inquiry, designed to elicit a specific type of answer from Jesus, thereby setting the agenda for the subsequent dialogue. There is also an element of **irony** present: the lawyer, an expert in the Law, attempts to test Jesus, the divine Law-giver and ultimate interpreter of truth. Yet, Jesus, through His response in the following verses, turns the test back on the lawyer, prompting him to answer his own question from the Law he claims to master, subtly exposing the lawyer's intellectual pride and spiritual deficiency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:25 introduces the profound theological theme of how humanity can attain eternal life, a question central to the entire biblical narrative. The lawyer's query, rooted in a works-based understanding of righteousness, sets up Jesus' counter-cultural teaching that true life comes not from mere adherence to external rules but from an internal transformation manifested in selfless love for God and neighbor. This encounter highlights the inadequacy of human effort alone to secure salvation and foreshadows the New Covenant's emphasis on a love that fulfills the Law, moving beyond mere legalistic observance to a heart-level commitment. It underscores that while the Law reveals God's perfect standard, it also exposes humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill it, thus pointing to the need for a different path to eternal life.

* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and the Gift of Eternal Life") - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
* [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandment") - "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
* [Romans 10:5-10](/romans/10-5-10 "Romans 10:5-10 - Righteousness by Law vs. Righteousness by Faith") - "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise..."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The lawyer's question, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?", resonates deeply with the human condition across all ages. It speaks to our innate desire for meaning, purpose, and a future beyond the grave. For us today, this verse prompts us to examine our own motives when approaching spiritual matters. Are we genuinely seeking truth and life, or are we, like the lawyer, approaching God with a testing spirit, seeking to justify ourselves or to find a loophole? Jesus' subsequent interaction reveals that true spiritual understanding is not about intellectual prowess or legalistic performance, but about a transformed heart that genuinely loves God and neighbor. This challenges us to move beyond a checklist mentality of faith and to embrace a life characterized by radical, self-giving love, recognizing that eternal life is not earned by our doing, but received by grace and lived out in loving obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What motivates my own questions about faith and eternal life? Is it genuine curiosity, a desire for self-justification, or something else?**
* **How does my understanding of "doing" for God compare with the New Testament emphasis on "being" in Christ and living by grace?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "test" God or His word, rather than humbly seeking to understand and obey?**

### FAQ

**What was the lawyer's true motive in asking Jesus this question?**

Answer: The text explicitly states the lawyer "tempted him" (Greek: _ekpeirázō_). This word suggests his motive was to test, try, or scrutinize Jesus, rather than purely to seek genuine spiritual guidance. As an expert in the Mosaic Law (_nomikós_), he likely aimed to gauge Jesus' theological understanding, perhaps hoping to expose a deviation from traditional Jewish interpretations of the Law or to trap Him in a controversial statement. While not necessarily malicious, it was an intellectual challenge designed to probe Jesus' authority and wisdom, leading directly into the profound teaching of the [Parable of the Good Samaritan](/luke/10-29-37 "Luke 10:29-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan").

**What does "eternal life" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Eternal life" (Greek: _zōḗ aiṓnios_) refers to more than just unending existence. It signifies a quality of life that is divine, spiritual, and characterized by a deep, abiding relationship with God. It is the life that belongs to the age to come, a participation in God's own imperishable being. In the New Testament, it is often presented as a present possession for those who believe in Jesus ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing and Believing for Eternal Life")), and its fullness will be experienced in the future kingdom of God. It contrasts sharply with a mere biological existence, pointing to a spiritual vitality and an unending communion with the Creator.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lawyer's earnest question, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?", finds its ultimate and complete answer not in human striving, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the lawyer sought to earn eternal life through "doing" the Law, Jesus reveals that He Himself is the embodiment of eternal life and the fulfillment of the Law's demands. He declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law's requirements, not only in His sinless life but also in His sacrificial death, thereby providing the righteousness that humanity could never achieve on its own ([Romans 3:20-24](/romans/3-20-24 "Romans 3:20-24 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The "doing" that leads to eternal life is not a list of works, but faith in Christ, who offers eternal life as a free gift ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly exemplifies the love for God and neighbor that He commands, culminating in His ultimate act of love on the cross, demonstrating what it truly means to "do" the Law in its deepest sense ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). Thus, the quest for eternal life, as posed by the lawyer, is ultimately satisfied in knowing and receiving Christ, who is our life and our inheritance ([Colossians 3:4](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - Christ Our Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.