Luke 10:37

Luke 10:37 concludes the powerful Parable of the Good Samaritan, delivering Jesus' final, direct command to the inquiring lawyer and, by extension, to all who seek to understand what it means to truly love one's neighbor.

Context

This verse is the culmination of a dialogue initiated by a lawyer who sought to "tempt" Jesus, asking, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25). After affirming the two great commandments—love God and love neighbor—the lawyer, seeking to justify himself, pressed further: "And who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:29). Jesus responded with the parable of a man robbed and left for dead, passed by a priest and a Levite, but helped by a Samaritan—a member of a group despised by Jews. After recounting the Samaritan's costly compassion, Jesus turned the lawyer's original question on its head, asking, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" The lawyer's answer, "He that shewed mercy on him," acknowledges the Samaritan's exemplary conduct without having to utter the despised name.

Key Themes

• Active Mercy and Compassion: The lawyer's answer highlights that true neighborliness is not about proximity or shared ethnicity, but about actively demonstrating mercy and compassion to those in need. The Samaritan didn't just feel pity; he acted on it, providing first aid, transportation, and ongoing care. This echoes the biblical emphasis on showing practical kindness.
• Redefining "Neighbor": Jesus radically broadens the traditional understanding of "neighbor." It's not limited to those within one's social, religious, or ethnic group, but includes anyone in need, even those typically considered enemies or outsiders. This challenges prejudice and ethnocentrism.
• Obedience Through Action: Jesus' concluding command, "Go, and do thou likewise," is a powerful call to action. It underscores that understanding God's law is insufficient without practical application. True faith is demonstrated by works of love and mercy, reflecting the teaching that faith without works is dead.
• The Heart of Discipleship: This parable and Jesus' command define a core aspect of Christian discipleship: living out the second great commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself, without reservation or discrimination.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "He that shewed mercy on him" uses the Greek verb poieo (ποιέω), meaning "to do" or "to make," combined with eleos (ἔλεος), meaning "mercy" or "compassion." This emphasizes that the Samaritan's action was not merely a feeling but a concrete, observable deed of mercy. Jesus' command "Go, and do thou likewise" uses the Greek word homoios (ὁμοίως), meaning "in the same way" or "similarly." This is a direct imperative to imitate the Samaritan's active, self-sacrificial compassion.

Practical Application

Luke 10:37 challenges believers today to look beyond their comfort zones and pre-conceived notions of who deserves their help. It calls us to:

• Act with Compassion: Be alert to the needs of those around us, whether they are physically, emotionally, or spiritually vulnerable.
• Break Down Barriers: Overcome societal, racial, or political divides to extend love and aid to all people, just as Christ's love extends to all (Galatians 3:28).
• Embody the Gospel: Demonstrate the transformative power of God's love through tangible acts of service and kindness, making our faith visible and impactful in the world.
• Prioritize Doing Over Knowing: Remember that true understanding of God's will is not merely intellectual assent but active, merciful obedience.