And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
And {G2532} on {G1909} the morrow {G839} when he departed {G1831}, he took out {G1544} two {G1417} pence {G1220}, and gave {G1325} them to the host {G3830}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Take care {G1959} of him {G846}; and {G2532} whatsoever {G3748}{G302} thou spendest more {G4325}, when I {G3165} come again {G1722}{G1880}, I {G1473} will repay {G591} thee {G4671}.
The next day, he took out two days’ wages, gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Look after him; and if you spend more than this, I’ll pay you back when I return.’
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’
And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.
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Proverbs 19:17
¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. -
Luke 14:13
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: -
Romans 16:23
Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. -
Matthew 20:2
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Luke 10:35 is a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, showcasing the Samaritan’s extraordinary commitment to the injured man’s recovery. After providing immediate first aid, this verse details the Samaritan’s foresight and generosity, ensuring ongoing care by entrusting the man to an innkeeper and guaranteeing all expenses would be covered.
Context
This verse follows the Samaritan’s discovery of the half-dead man on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, after a priest and a Levite had passed by without offering aid (Luke 10:31-32). The Samaritan, traditionally an enemy of the Jews, demonstrated profound compassion by binding the man's wounds and taking him to an inn. Verse 35 represents the continuation of the compassionate care initiated in Luke 10:34, illustrating a commitment that extends beyond a single act of mercy to long-term responsibility.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "two pence" in the King James Version refers to duo dēnaria (δύο δηνάρια) in the original Greek. A denarius was a Roman silver coin, equivalent to a day's wage for a common laborer. Thus, "two pence" represented a substantial initial payment, enough to cover several days' lodging and care. The Samaritan's additional promise, "whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee," signifies an open-ended commitment to the injured man's full recovery, regardless of cost.
Practical Application
Luke 10:35 challenges believers to extend their compassion beyond immediate needs, embracing a long-term commitment to those they help. It calls for a generosity that is not limited by initial resources but is willing to bear ongoing burdens for the sake of another's well-being. This profound commitment exemplifies the principle of serving Christ by serving 'the least of these'. The verse encourages us to be proactive and responsible caregivers, reflecting the boundless love of God. The parable concludes with Jesus' powerful command in Luke 10:37, urging us to "Go, and do thou likewise," embodying this comprehensive and sacrificial love in our own lives.