Luke 10:27

KJV

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he answering {G611} said {G2036}, Thou shalt love {G25} the Lord {G2962} thy {G4675} God {G2316} with {G1537} all {G3650} thy {G4675} heart {G2588}, and {G2532} with {G1537} all {G3650} thy {G4675} soul {G5590}, and {G2532} with {G1537} all {G3650} thy {G4675} strength {G2479}, and {G2532} with {G1537} all {G3650} thy {G4675} mind {G1271}; and {G2532} thy {G4675} neighbour {G4139} as {G5613} thyself {G4572}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He answered, “You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your understanding; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Berean Standard Bible

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

American Standard Version

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:27 presents the lawyer's profound summary of the Law, echoing Jesus' own teachings, by articulating the two greatest commandments: an all-encompassing love for God and a genuine, selfless love for one's neighbor. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for understanding the essence of biblical righteousness, emphasizing that true devotion is not merely ritualistic but involves every faculty of one's being directed towards God, which then naturally overflows into compassionate action towards humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 10:27 arises from a direct encounter between Jesus and a lawyer, initiated by the lawyer's challenging question in [Luke 10:25](/luke/10-25 "Luke 10:25 - The Lawyer's Question"): "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Instead of providing an immediate answer, Jesus skillfully redirects the question back to the expert in the Mosaic Law, asking, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?" The lawyer's reply in verse 27 demonstrates his deep knowledge of the Scriptures, synthesizing the core commands of the Torah. This foundational principle then directly leads to the lawyer's follow-up question in [Luke 10:29](/luke/10-29 "Luke 10:29 - Who is My Neighbor?"), "And who is my neighbour?", which prompts Jesus to deliver the iconic [Parable of the Good Samaritan](/luke/10-29-37 "Luke 10:29-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), illustrating the practical implications of neighborly love. Thus, Luke 10:27 is not merely a statement of law but a pivotal point that sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on radical compassion and the true nature of discipleship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The lawyer's response in Luke 10:27 reflects a well-established tradition within Judaism of summarizing the Law. The command to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is a direct quotation from [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema"), which forms the central declaration of the Shema, a daily prayer and confession of faith for Jews. This passage was not merely a verse but a foundational principle shaping Jewish identity, devotion, and ethical life. The command to love one's neighbor as oneself is drawn from [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"). Rabbinic Judaism frequently debated which commandments were "greatest" or encompassed the whole Law, and the synthesis of these two commands was a recognized, though not universally agreed upon, summary. The addition of "mind" in the New Testament accounts (as seen here and in [Mark 12:30](/mark/12-30 "Mark 12:30 - The Greatest Commandment")) likely reflects a Hellenistic influence on the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) or an emphasis by Jesus and the Gospel writers to explicitly include intellectual engagement, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of love that transcends mere emotion or physical action.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme of Luke 10:27 is the **summation of the Law** into two paramount commandments. This verse encapsulates the entire ethical and spiritual framework of the Old Testament, presenting a holistic understanding of righteousness. Firstly, it highlights **holistic love for God**, emphasizing that devotion is not compartmentalized but involves every facet of human existence: emotions and will ("heart"), life and inner self ("soul"), physical and mental energy ("strength"), and intellectual understanding ("mind"). This comprehensive love demands total allegiance and undivided loyalty to God. Secondly, it underscores the **inseparability of love for God and love for neighbor**. The second commandment is presented as a direct outflow and tangible expression of the first. True love for God cannot exist in isolation from genuine care and benevolence towards fellow human beings. This theme is further developed by Jesus in [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus Summarizes the Law"), where He states that "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets," confirming their foundational importance for all of God's revealed will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** This verb signifies a love that is volitional, sacrificial, and based on commitment rather than mere emotion or affection. It is a divine love, often characterized by benevolence and active goodwill. In this context, it describes the comprehensive, all-encompassing devotion required towards God, and the selfless, outward-focused care required towards one's neighbor.
* **Strength (Greek, _ischýs'_):** Derived from a root meaning "force," this word denotes inherent might, power, or ability. When applied to loving God, it implies dedicating all one's physical, mental, and spiritual energy, resources, and capabilities to Him. It's not just about emotional or intellectual assent, but about active, vigorous commitment in all one does.
* **Mind (Greek, _diánoia'_):** This term refers to deep thought, the faculty of understanding, intellect, or reason. Its inclusion alongside heart, soul, and strength emphasizes that love for God is not an irrational or purely emotional experience but involves deliberate thought, intellectual engagement, and a conscious understanding of God's character and will. It means loving God with our cognitive faculties, seeking to know Him more deeply.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answering said,"**: This phrase sets the stage for the lawyer's authoritative and knowledgeable response to Jesus' question. It indicates a direct and confident articulation of what is written in the Law.
* **"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,"**: This is the first and primary command, echoing [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema"). "Heart" (kardia) represents the innermost being, the seat of emotions, will, and moral character. It signifies a love that originates from the core of one's person, involving one's deepest affections and intentions.
* **"and with all thy soul,"**: "Soul" (psychē) refers to one's life, inner self, and vitality. Loving God with all one's soul means dedicating one's very existence, one's life force and animating principle, to Him. It implies a total commitment that permeates one's entire being.
* **"and with all thy strength,"**: "Strength" (ischys) encompasses all one's physical, mental, and spiritual energy and capabilities. This clause demands that devotion to God be expressed through vigorous action, diligent effort, and the full deployment of all one's resources in His service.
* **"and with all thy mind;"**: "Mind" (dianoia) specifically highlights the intellectual aspect of love. This addition, more explicit in the New Testament accounts, emphasizes that loving God involves rational thought, understanding, and knowledge. It calls for intellectual engagement with God's truth, reasoning, and deliberate focus on Him.
* **"and thy neighbour as thyself."**: This is the second great commandment, quoted from [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"). It mandates that the comprehensive love for God must manifest outwardly in genuine, selfless care for others. "As thyself" implies treating others with the same consideration, respect, and benevolence one naturally desires for oneself, recognizing their inherent value.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:27 employs several significant literary devices that enhance its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a fourfold **Merism** in the first part of the verse ("heart, soul, strength, mind"). This merism, by listing distinct parts, signifies the totality of the human being, emphasizing that love for God must be comprehensive and involve every aspect of one's existence. The inclusion of "mind" alongside the traditional Old Testament triad (heart, soul, strength) creates an intensified and complete picture of holistic devotion. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the essence of the Mosaic Law, which Jesus Himself affirms elsewhere. The structure of the verse also presents a clear **Dichotomy** between vertical love (for God) and horizontal love (for neighbor), presenting them as two inseparable yet distinct facets of true righteousness. This serves as a **Didactic** statement, instructing the lawyer and, by extension, all listeners, on the fundamental principles of eternal life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:27 articulates the foundational principle of biblical ethics, demonstrating that all divine commands ultimately distill into the twin pillars of love for God and love for neighbor. This synthesis reveals God's character as love and His desire for humanity to reflect that love both upwards towards Him and outwards towards one another. The comprehensive nature of loving God—with heart, soul, strength, and mind—underscores that true worship is not compartmentalized but saturates every aspect of human existence, integrating emotion, will, action, and intellect. This holistic devotion then naturally overflows into genuine compassion and service towards others, making love for neighbor the tangible evidence of one's love for God. The verse thus establishes that genuine faith is inherently relational and finds its fullest expression in selfless love, fulfilling the very essence of the Law and the Prophets.

* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema: Love God with All Your Being")
* [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself")
* [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus' Summary of the Law")
* [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:27 provides a timeless and profound blueprint for Christian living, challenging believers to cultivate a love for God that is truly all-encompassing, impacting every facet of their being—their deepest affections, their very life force, their physical and mental energies, and their intellectual pursuits. This means not just feeling love for God, but actively directing one's will, thoughts, and actions towards Him. Furthermore, it mandates that this profound, internal love for God must inevitably manifest in tangible, selfless love for others. This calls us to treat our neighbors—whether friends, family, or strangers, even those we find difficult—with the same care, respect, and consideration we desire for ourselves. True spirituality, according to this verse, is not merely intellectual assent, ritualistic observance, or emotional fervor in isolation, but an active, passionate, and comprehensive love for God that overflows into genuine, practical love for humanity, reflecting the very heart of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I demonstrate love for God with "all my heart, soul, strength, and mind" in my daily life?**
* **How does my current expression of love for God translate into my actions and attitudes towards my "neighbor"?**
* **Are there areas of my life (emotions, intellect, actions) where I am holding back from fully loving God or my neighbor?**
* **What specific steps can I take this week to better integrate my love for God with my love for others?**

### FAQ

**Why does Luke's account (and Mark's) include "mind" when the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5) only mentions "heart, soul, and strength"?**

Answer: The inclusion of "mind" (Greek: _dianoia_) in the New Testament renditions of this commandment, while not explicitly present in the Hebrew text of [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Shema"), serves to emphasize the intellectual dimension of loving God. The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) sometimes included "mind" in its rendering of Deuteronomy 6:5, suggesting that the concept was already implicitly understood or seen as part of a comprehensive love. In the New Testament, its explicit mention clarifies that loving God is not merely an emotional or volitional act, but also involves our intellect, understanding, and rational engagement with His truth. It underscores that faith is not blind, but requires thoughtful devotion and the application of our cognitive faculties to know and serve God.

**Who is my "neighbor" according to this commandment?**

Answer: The concept of "neighbor" in [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself") originally referred primarily to fellow Israelites or those within one's community. However, Jesus radically expands this definition. Immediately following the lawyer's recitation of this commandment in [Luke 10:27](/luke/10-27 "Luke 10:27 - The Greatest Commandments"), the lawyer asks, "And who is my neighbour?" (see [Luke 10:29](/luke/10-29 "Luke 10:29 - Who is My Neighbor?")). Jesus responds with the [Parable of the Good Samaritan](/luke/10-29-37 "Luke 10:29-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), which illustrates that a "neighbor" is anyone in need, regardless of their ethnicity, social status, or relationship to us. It is not about who we *consider* our neighbor, but about *acting* as a neighbor to anyone we encounter who needs our compassion and help.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:27 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person of Jesus Christ. He alone perfectly loved the Lord His God with all His heart, soul, strength, and mind, demonstrating unwavering obedience and devotion throughout His earthly life, even unto death on the cross (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). His entire ministry was an expression of total allegiance to the Father's will (cf. [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do God's Will")). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly exemplified the love for neighbor, not merely as an abstract principle, but as a lived reality, culminating in His sacrificial death for humanity (cf. [John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), demonstrating the ultimate act of neighborly love for a fallen humanity. For believers, living out Luke 10:27 is not achieved by sheer willpower, but by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells those united with Christ (cf. [Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")). Through Christ, we are empowered to love God and neighbor, as His love is poured into our hearts, enabling us to walk in newness of life and fulfill the righteous requirement of the law (cf. [Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law")). Thus, Luke 10:27 is not just a command to obey, but a call to participate in the very life and love of Christ Himself.

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

Mark 12:30

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.

Mark 12:31

And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Matthew 22:37

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.

Matthew 22:40

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Deuteronomy 6:5

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Romans 13:9

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.