Written By Les Allan – September 3, 2023
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV): Detailed Analysis
Version: ESV
Initial Observations & Questions
• The passage is a parable told by Jesus (Luke 10:25-37, ESV).
o What is a parable, and why did Jesus tell them?
• The passage begins with a lawyer asking Jesus a question (Luke 10:25, ESV).
o Why did the lawyer ask Jesus this question?
• The lawyer’s question is about inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25, ESV).
o What does the lawyer’s question reveal about his understanding of eternal life?
• Jesus asks the lawyer what is written in the Law (Luke 10:26, ESV).
o What does Jesus’ response reveal about his understanding of the law?
• The lawyer answers by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (Luke 10:27, ESV).
o What do these two verses reveal about the lawyer’s understanding of the law?
• Jesus responds by telling the lawyer he is correct and that he will live (Luke 10:28, ESV).
o What does it mean to live according to the Bible?
• The lawyer questions Jesus about his neighbor (Luke 10:29, ESV).
o What does the term neighbor mean in the Bible?
• Jesus tells a story about a man who was robbed and left for dead (Luke 10:30, ESV).
o Why did Jesus tell this particular story in response to the lawyer’s question?
• A priest and a Levite both see the man but do not help him (Luke 10:31-32, ESV).
o What is the significance of the priest and Levite not helping the man?
• A Samaritan sees the man and helps him (Luke 10:33-35, ESV).
o What is the significance of the Samaritan helping the man?
• Jesus asks the lawyer in this parable which of the three men proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers (Luke 10:36, ESV).
o What does it mean to be a neighbor, according to this passage?
• The lawyer answers that it was the one who showed mercy (Luke 10:37, ESV).
o What does it mean to show mercy, according to this passage?
• Jesus tells the lawyer to go and do likewise (Luke 10:37, ESV).
o Why does Jesus tell the lawyer to do the same?
• What is the significance of the lawyer’s answers to Jesus’ questions?
• Why did Jesus tell this particular story in response to the lawyer’s questions?
• What is the significance of the priest and Levite not helping the man?
• What is the significance of the Samaritan helping the man?
• What does it mean to be a neighbor, according to this passage?
• What does it mean to show mercy, according to this passage?
• How can we apply this passage to our own lives?
Structure
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV), also known as the Parable of the Good Samaritan, is a story told by Jesus in response to a question from a lawyer about how to inherit eternal life. This passage relates to the larger context of the Book of Luke (ESV) in several ways. One of the key themes in Luke is the universality of the gospel and the inclusion of Gentiles and Jews in God’s plan. The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates this theme by showing that even a Samaritan, who would have been considered an outsider by the Jews, can be a neighbor and show love to others. Another theme in Luke is the emphasis on the poor and marginalized. In the parable, the Samaritan, not religious leaders, helps the man in need. This passage also relates to Luke’s emphasis on prayer and good stewardship with possessions, as the Samaritan uses his resources to help the needy man. Overall, this passage fits into the larger context of Luke by illustrating some of its key themes and teachings.
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV) is a passage that contains the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The passage can be divided into several sections based on its structure and content. The first section (Lukes 10:25-28, ESV) is a dialogue between Jesus and a lawyer, in which the lawyer asks Jesus a question about inheriting eternal life, and Jesus responds by asking the lawyer what is written in the law. The second section (Luke 10 29-35, ESV) is the parable, in which Jesus tells a story about a man who was robbed and left for dead, and how a Samaritan helped Him. The third section (Luke 10:36-37, ESV) is another dialogue between Jesus and the lawyer, in which Jesus asks the lawyer which of the three men in the parable proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers, and the lawyer responds that it was the one who showed mercy. These structural divisions help highlight the passage’s key themes and messages.
- Dialogue between Jesus and a lawyer (Luke 10:25-28, ESV).
- Lawyer’s question about inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25, ESV).
- Jesus’ response is to ask the lawyer what is written in Law (Luke 10:26, ESV).
- The lawyer’s answer quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (Luke 10:27, ESV).
- Jesus affirmed the lawyer’s answer (Luke 10:28, ESV).
- Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-35, ESV).
- Introduction to the parable (Luke 10:29, ESV).
- The man robbed and left for dead (Luke 10:30, ESV).
- Priest and Levite see the man but do not help him (Luke 10:31-32, ESV).
- Samaritan sees the man and helps him (Luke 10:33-35, ESV).
- Conclusion and application (Luke 10:36-37, ESV).
- Jesus questioned the lawyer about who was a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers (Luke 10:36, ESV).
- The lawyer answers that it was the one who showed mercy (Luke 10:37, ESV).
- Jesus’ instruction to go and do likewise (Luke 10:37, ESV).
Words & Phrases
“Lawyer” (Luke 10:25, ESV).
How is the word “lawyer” used in the context of Luke 10:25 (ESV)?
In Luke 10:25 (ESV), a lawyer refers to an expert in Jewish law, also known as the Torah. The lawyer in this passage is testing Jesus by asking him a question about inheriting eternal life.
What was the lawyer’s intention by asking Jesus this question?
The lawyer tested Jesus by asking him about inheriting eternal life.
“You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, ESV).
Where did this phrase originate from?
This phrase is a quotation originally from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (ESV), which are part of Jewish law. It summarizes the two greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.
What is the significance of this phrase in the context of Luke 10:27 (ESV)?
This phrase summarizes the two greatest commandments and provides a foundation for Jesus’ teaching on being a neighbor and showing love to others.
“Justify” (Luke 10:29, ESV).
What does the word “justify” mean or show as used in the context of Luke 10:29 (ESV)?
In Luke 10:29 (ESV) context, to justify means to show or prove oneself to be right or reasonable. The lawyer in this passage is trying to justify himself by asking Jesus who his neighbor is.
Why does the lawyer feel the need to justify himself?
The lawyer may have felt challenged by Jesus’ response and wanted to prove himself right or reasonable by asking for further clarification.
“Samaritan” (Luke 10:33, ESV).
What is the significance of using a Samaritan as an example in this parable (Luke 10:33, ESV)?
Using a Samaritan as an example of someone who shows love and compassion, Jesus challenges His time’s cultural norms and prejudices and teaches that anyone can be a neighbor, regardless of their background or social status.
“eternal life” (Luke 10:25, ESV).
What Biblical concept does the phrase “eternal life” (Luke 10:25, ESV) refer to?
This phrase “eternal life” alludes to the notion of eternal life, a fundamental Christian tenet. In this particular account, a lawyer inquires of Jesus what actions he should take to obtain everlasting life. Jesus then recounts the story of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing the significance of loving both God and one’s neighbor as oneself. This phrase is important as it underscores the ultimate objective of adhering to Jesus’ teachings and leading a life of kindness and empathy.
According to this passage, what does it mean to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25, ESV)?
Luke 10:25 (ESV) instructs us that inheriting eternal life involves adhering to Jesus’ teachings and embodying a life of love and empathy towards God and our fellow human beings. When a lawyer asks about inheriting eternal life, Jesus responds with the Parable of the Good Samaritan to exemplify the significance of loving one’s neighbor and God as oneself. This lesson urges us to transcend our personal interests, recognize the requirements of those in our vicinity, and lead a life full of love and empathy in order to attain eternal life.
Summary, correlation, & application
One of the most fulfilling things in life is being a kind and caring neighbor who offers love and support to those who need it without regard for their social status or background.
The central message of Luke 10:25-37 (ESV) centers around the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus shares in response to a lawyer’s inquiry on how to attain eternal life. The parable recounts a man who is robbed and left for dead on the roadside. Despite being seen by a priest and a Levite, both esteemed religious figures, they choose not to assist him. Instead, a Samaritan, someone considered an outsider by the Jews, stops to help and care for the man. Through this tale, Jesus emphasizes that being a good neighbor entails demonstrating love and empathy towards those in need, regardless of their background or social standing. This lesson encourages us to transcend our biases and perceptions and recognize the needs of those around us.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37 (ESV), is a story that Jesus shared in response to a lawyer’s inquiry about how to attain eternal life. This passage has significant connections to other parts of Scripture beyond the book of Luke. The lawyer’s response to Jesus’ question, which is “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, ESV), is a combination of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (ESV). These two directives summarize the law and are also mentioned in other parts of Scripture, such as Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV) and Mark 12:30-31 (ESV), where Jesus identifies them as the most important commandments. Moreover, the theme of expressing love and empathy towards those in need, regardless of their background or social status, is evident in other parts of Scripture, such as the teachings on caring for the poor and marginalized in Proverbs 14:31 (ESV) and James 2:15-16 (ESV). In summary, this passage aligns with the broader context of Scripture by highlighting key themes and teachings.
When analyzing Luke 10:25-37 (ESV) in its canonical context, we can apply its message to our personal lives, local church, denomination, and the church as a whole. This passage reminds us of the significance of demonstrating love and compassion to those in need, despite their background or social status. It compels us to break free from our prejudices and biases and see the needs of those around us. We are called to be good neighbors by proactively seeking ways to assist others and exhibiting mercy and kindness in our actions. This can be accomplished through service-oriented endeavors such as volunteering at a local shelter or food bank, or through simple acts of kindness like lending a listening ear or offering a helping hand to someone in need. By emulating the example of Jesus and leading a life of love and compassion, we can make a positive impact on the communities and world around us.
Further questions
- What does the parable teach us about the nature of God’s love?
- How does the parable challenge our understanding of who our neighbors are?
- How can we apply the lessons from this parable in our daily lives?
- What does the parable reveal about the cultural and social norms of Jesus’ time?
- How does the parable of the Good Samaritan relate to other parables told by Jesus?
- What is the significance of the priest and Levite’s actions in the parable?
- How does this parable challenge us to act toward those different from us?
References:
Bauer, D. R., & Traina, R. A. (2014). Inductive bible study – a comprehensive guide to the practice of hermeneutics. Baker Publishing Group.
Keener, C. S. (2014). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament. Intervarsity Press.
