Luke 10:29

KJV

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he, willing {G2309} to justify {G1344} himself {G1438}, said {G2036} unto {G4314} Jesus {G2424}, And {G2532} who {G5101} is {G2076} my {G3450} neighbour {G4139}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Yeshua, “And who is my ‘neighbor’?”

Berean Standard Bible

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

American Standard Version

But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:29 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' interaction with a lawyer, immediately preceding the Parable of the Good Samaritan. This verse reveals the lawyer's underlying motivation—a desire to vindicate himself and define the boundaries of his obligation—as he poses the seemingly simple yet profoundly challenging question, "And who is my neighbour?" This inquiry sets the stage for Jesus to expand the traditional understanding of compassion and love beyond narrow, self-serving interpretations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the lawyer's direct response to Jesus' affirmation of his correct summary of the Law in [Luke 10:27-28](/luke/10-27-28 "Luke 10:27-28 - The Great Commandments"). Having been told, "This do, and thou shalt live," the lawyer's follow-up question in [Luke 10:29](/luke/10-29 "Luke 10:29 - The Lawyer's Question") shifts the focus from the *doing* to the *defining*. It serves as the immediate narrative trigger for the renowned [Parable of the Good Samaritan](/luke/10-30-37 "Luke 10:30-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), which directly answers the lawyer's self-serving inquiry. The exchange highlights the contrast between intellectual understanding of the law and practical, compassionate application.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the concept of "neighbor" (Hebrew: _rea'_) was often interpreted within the confines of one's own community, fellow Israelites, or those who adhered to Jewish law. While the Old Testament commands to love one's neighbor (e.g., [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself")) were broad, rabbinic interpretations sometimes narrowed the scope, distinguishing between fellow Jews and Gentiles, or even between different social classes. The lawyer's question likely stemmed from this prevailing cultural inclination to categorize and limit responsibility, seeking a definition that would exclude certain groups, such as Samaritans, from the obligation of neighborly love.
* **Key Themes:** The exchange in [Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25-37 "Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan") introduces several critical themes. **Self-justification** is prominent, as the lawyer's question reveals his desire to prove his own righteousness rather than genuinely seeking deeper understanding or acknowledging his shortcomings. The theme of **defining "neighbor"** is central, as the lawyer attempts to draw boundaries around who he is obligated to love, contrasting with Jesus' expansive definition. This interaction also highlights the tension between the **letter of the Law and its spirit**, showing that intellectual assent to commandments (as in [Luke 10:27](/luke/10-27 "Luke 10:27 - The Lawyer's Summary of the Law")) is insufficient without compassionate action and a heart truly transformed by love, as demonstrated in the subsequent parable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **willing (Greek, _thélō'_):** This word indicates a deliberate choice or preference stemming from an active, subjective impulse. It suggests the lawyer's question was not a spontaneous inquiry but a calculated intention. He *willed* or *desired* to justify himself, implying a conscious motivation behind his words.
* **justify (Greek, _dikaióō'_):** Derived from the word for "just" or "righteous," _dikaióō_ means "to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent." In this context, it signifies the lawyer's attempt to vindicate himself, to prove his own righteousness, or to demonstrate that he had already fulfilled the law sufficiently. He sought to establish his own blamelessness or to limit his obligations to a manageable, self-defined scope.
* **neighbour (Greek, _plēsíon'_):** This term literally means "one who is near" or "close by." Crucially, its semantic range in Greek does not inherently specify ethnic, social, or religious affiliation. The lawyer's question, "And who is my neighbour?", sought to impose such limitations on a word that, in its original meaning, was broad and inclusive, setting the stage for Jesus to reveal the true, expansive nature of neighborly love.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he, willing to justify himself,"**: This opening clause immediately reveals the lawyer's internal disposition and motivation. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a contrast or shift from the previous affirmation. He was not asking for clarification out of humility or a desire for deeper understanding, but rather out of a conscious intention (_thélō_) to vindicate his own standing or actions (_dikaióō heautoû_). This phrase exposes a heart more concerned with self-preservation and self-righteousness than with genuine obedience.
* **"said unto Jesus,"**: This simple phrase indicates the direct address. The lawyer, having been affirmed by Jesus for his correct understanding of the Law, now turns the conversation back to Jesus with a follow-up question. This highlights the dialogical nature of the encounter, where Jesus consistently engages with the questions posed to Him, often using them as opportunities for profound teaching.
* **"And who is my neighbour?"**: This is the core of the lawyer's inquiry. The "And" (G2532, _kaí_) introduces the question as a continuation of his line of thought, stemming from the command to love one's neighbor. The interrogative "who" (G5101, _tís_) seeks a specific definition or boundary. By asking "who is *my* neighbour," the lawyer implicitly seeks a limited, definable group, hoping to narrow his personal responsibility and perhaps exclude those he deemed unworthy or inconvenient to love.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:29 employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the lawyer's attempt to "justify himself" through a seemingly innocent question actually exposes his spiritual deficiency and self-righteousness. His desire to limit the scope of the commandment reveals a heart unwilling to embrace the full breadth of God's love. The verse also utilizes **Dialogue**, presenting a direct verbal exchange between the lawyer and Jesus, which is a common narrative technique in the Gospels to convey theological truth. Finally, the lawyer's question, "And who is my neighbour?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question** from his perspective, not truly seeking information but rather aiming to elicit an answer that would confirm his preconceived, limited understanding of the Law. Jesus, however, transforms it into a genuine question that demands a radical re-evaluation of compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:29 is profoundly theological, laying bare the human tendency towards self-justification and the desire to limit God's expansive commands. The lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbour?", exposes a common misunderstanding of righteousness: that it can be achieved by meticulously defining and adhering to the letter of the law while neglecting its spirit. This verse underscores that true righteousness is not about what we *avoid* doing or who we *exclude*, but about actively embracing and extending compassionate love to all, even those we might deem "other" or inconvenient. It challenges the notion that salvation or spiritual standing can be earned through legalistic adherence, pointing instead to the need for a transformed heart that mirrors God's boundless love.

* [Matthew 22:39](/matthew/22-39 "Matthew 22:39 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself")
* [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")
* [James 2:14-17](/james/2-14-17 "James 2:14-17 - Faith Without Works is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:29 serves as a mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts when confronted with God's commands. Do we, like the lawyer, seek to "justify ourselves" by finding loopholes, setting boundaries, or defining our obligations in ways that are convenient and comfortable? When the call to love, sacrifice, or serve becomes challenging, do we instinctively ask, "Who is my neighbor?" or "How little can I do?" instead of "How can I love more fully?" This verse challenges our propensity to limit our compassion to those within our comfort zones—our family, friends, or those who look and think like us. True discipleship calls us to move beyond self-serving definitions and embrace a radical, expansive love that extends to anyone in need, regardless of their background, status, or our personal biases. It reminds us that genuine faith is demonstrated not merely by intellectual assent to truth, but by active, selfless love that transcends all boundaries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "justify myself" rather than humbly seeking to obey God's commands?**
* **How do I define "my neighbor" in practical terms? Am I consciously or unconsciously limiting the scope of my love and compassion?**
* **What groups or individuals do I find it most challenging to extend neighborly love to, and why?**
* **How does my understanding of love for God connect with my practical love for others? Are they truly inseparable in my life?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that the lawyer was "willing to justify himself"?**

Answer: To be "willing to justify himself" means that the lawyer had a deliberate intention to prove his own righteousness or to vindicate his actions. He wasn't asking Jesus for genuine insight into the law or seeking to deepen his understanding of compassion. Instead, he wanted to demonstrate that he had already fulfilled the law's requirements, or at least that his current understanding and practice of it were sufficient. This often involves a desire to avoid further obligation or to appear righteous in the eyes of others, rather than a humble pursuit of truth. His question, "And who is my neighbour?", was therefore not an honest inquiry but a strategic move to limit his responsibility and confirm his own perceived blamelessness in the context of the command to love his neighbor as himself (as seen in [Luke 10:27](/luke/10-27 "Luke 10:27 - The Lawyer's Summary of the Law")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:29, with the lawyer's self-justifying question, powerfully highlights humanity's need for Christ. The lawyer's attempt to "justify himself" underscores the futility of seeking righteousness through one's own efforts or by narrowly defining moral obligations. This stands in stark contrast to the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, who alone fulfilled the Law without blemish ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The lawyer's desire to limit the definition of "neighbor" reveals a heart incapable of the boundless, sacrificial love that God requires and that Christ perfectly embodies. Jesus, the ultimate "Good Samaritan," did not ask "who is my neighbor?" but rather became the neighbor to all humanity, extending grace and mercy even to His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the true justification that the lawyer sought in vain by his own efforts, offering it freely to all who believe, not based on their limited definitions of love or their ability to keep the law, but on His perfect obedience and selfless love ([Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace Through Faith")). He not only defines true neighborly love but also empowers His followers through the Holy Spirit to live out this expansive, self-giving love that transcends all human-made boundaries ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")).

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

Luke 16:15

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Luke 18:9

¶ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Romans 4:2

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.

Leviticus 19:34

[But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Galatians 3:11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.