Luke 10:29
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
But wanting to justify himself
The phrase "wanting to justify himself" reveals the lawyer's inner motivation. The Greek word for "justify" is "δικαιόω" (dikaioō), which means to declare righteous or to show oneself to be just. In this context, the lawyer is not seeking genuine understanding or transformation but rather attempting to validate his own righteousness. This reflects a common human tendency to seek self-justification rather than true repentance or humility before God. Historically, the Pharisees and experts in the law often sought to justify themselves through strict adherence to the law, missing the heart of God's commandments.

he asked Jesus
The act of asking Jesus indicates a direct engagement with the source of divine wisdom. The Greek verb "εἶπεν" (eipen) is used here, which means "he said" or "he asked." This interaction is significant because it shows the lawyer's recognition of Jesus as a teacher, yet his question is not born out of a desire to learn but to test. In the broader scriptural context, asking questions of Jesus often led to deeper revelations of truth, but the heart's intent behind the question is crucial.

And who is my neighbor?
This question, "And who is my neighbor?" is pivotal in understanding the parable that follows. The Greek word for "neighbor" is "πλησίον" (plēsion), which means someone who is near or a fellow human being. In the historical and cultural context of first-century Judaism, the concept of a neighbor was often limited to fellow Jews. However, Jesus' response in the subsequent parable of the Good Samaritan expands this definition to include all people, regardless of race, religion, or social status. This challenges the lawyer's—and our own—preconceived notions of community and compassion, urging believers to love universally and unconditionally.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lawyer
A Jewish expert in the Law who questions Jesus to test Him and justify himself. His question leads to the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

2. Jesus
The central figure who responds to the lawyer's question with a parable, teaching about the true nature of neighborly love.

3. The Setting
This interaction takes place during Jesus' ministry, as He travels and teaches about the Kingdom of God.
Teaching Points
Understanding Justification
The lawyer's desire to justify himself reveals a common human tendency to seek self-righteousness. True justification comes through faith in Christ, not through legalistic adherence to the law.

Defining 'Neighbor'
Jesus challenges the narrow definition of 'neighbor' by illustrating that neighborly love transcends ethnic, religious, and social boundaries.

Practical Love in Action
The parable that follows this verse emphasizes that love is demonstrated through action and compassion, not merely through words or intentions.

Self-Examination
Believers are encouraged to examine their own hearts and attitudes towards others, ensuring they reflect Christ's love and compassion.

Living Out the Gospel
The call to love one's neighbor is a practical outworking of the Gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ's love in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the lawyer's question reveal about his understanding of the Law and his own heart?

2. How does Jesus' response to the lawyer challenge our modern understanding of who our 'neighbor' is?

3. In what ways can we apply the principle of loving our neighbor in our daily interactions and relationships?

4. How does the concept of justification by faith, as seen in Romans 3:28, contrast with the lawyer's attempt to justify himself?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to show love to someone outside your immediate circle. How did this experience align with the teachings of Jesus in this passage?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 19:18
This verse commands love for one's neighbor, which the lawyer references. Jesus expands on this commandment in His teaching.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus summarizes the Law with the greatest commandments, emphasizing love for God and neighbor, which aligns with the lawyer's initial question.

James 2:8-9
James refers to the "royal law" of loving your neighbor, echoing Jesus' teaching and highlighting the importance of impartiality.
Who is Our Neighbor?W. Clarkson Luke 10:29
The Good Samaritan, and the Good PartR.M. Edgar Luke 10:25-42
A Good SamaritanLuke 10:29-37
A Good Samaritan Among the MaorisLuke 10:29-37
Backwardness to Good WorksBishop Horne.Luke 10:29-37
Between Jerusalem and JerichoJ. Parker, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Brotherhood of MenG. M. G. Dana.Luke 10:29-37
ChanceDr. South.Luke 10:29-37
Christian CompassionF. G. Lisco.Luke 10:29-37
Christian SocialismJ. G. Rogers, B. A.Luke 10:29-37
Christlike CompassionDr. Talmage.Luke 10:29-37
CompassionD. Thomas.Luke 10:29-37
Debt of LoveVan OostarzeeLuke 10:29-37
Entertaining the Satanic ThiefN. Rogers.Luke 10:29-37
Every Natural Man is a Wounded ManN. Rogers.Luke 10:29-37
Fallen Among ThievesC. Leach.Luke 10:29-37
Generosity and LiberalityH. W. Beecher.Luke 10:29-37
Good News for YouC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 10:29-37
Good Samaritan LoveHarless.Luke 10:29-37
Heart-CompassionN. Rogers.Luke 10:29-37
Humane AssistanceLuke 10:29-37
HumanitarianismC. S. Robinson, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Lessons from This ParableJ. Pulling.Luke 10:29-37
Love Makes NeighboursMarcus Dods, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Love not SelectiveW. Arnot.Luke 10:29-37
Mankind Wounded and Robbed by Sin and SatanB. Keach.Luke 10:29-37
Neighbourly KindnessLuke 10:29-37
Parable of the Good SamaritanH. M. Grout, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Parable of the Good SamaritanJ. Burns, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Parable of the Man Who Fell Among ThievesB. Keach.Luke 10:29-37
Personal Contact with SufferingG. M. G. Dana.Luke 10:29-37
Rescue the PerishingW. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
Self-JustificationJ. Parker, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Service of LoveVan Oostarzee.Luke 10:29-37
Sympathy More than PityC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
The Blessedness of Helping OthersH. R. Burton.Luke 10:29-37
The Bloody WayLuke 10:29-37
The Glory of True LoveFlorey.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanDavid O. Meats.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanW. M. Taylor, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanH. J. Wilmot-Buxton, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanD. C. Hughes, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanD. C. Hughes, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanJ. R. Thomson, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanJ. Wells, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanW. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanCanon Liddon.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanCharles Kingsley.Luke 10:29-37
The Good SamaritanProfessor Flint, D. D. , LL. D.Luke 10:29-37
The Humanity of Christianity and Other ReligionsLuke 10:29-37
The Lawyer and the SamaritanJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
The Need of SympathyG. M. G. Dana.Luke 10:29-37
The Needy and Helpful Placed Side by Side in This WorldW. Arnot.Luke 10:29-37
The Obligation of the Strong to the WeakG. E. Horr.Luke 10:29-37
The Parable of the Good SamaritanR. Watson.Luke 10:29-37
The Priest and LeviteN. Rogers.Luke 10:29-37
The Spirit of LoveF. D. Maurice, M. A.Luke 10:29-37
Theory and Practice of HumanityW. Baxendale.Luke 10:29-37
True HelpC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Unfeeling ConductC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 10:29-37
Unrelieved MiseryMarcus Dods, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Who is My Neighbour?E. Mellor, D. D.Luke 10:29-37
Willing PhilanthropyN. Rogers.Luke 10:29-37
People
Jesus, Martha, Mary
Places
Bethsaida, Capernaum, Chorazin, Jericho, Jerusalem, Road to Jerusalem, Sidon, Sodom, Tyre
Topics
Declare, Desiring, Desirous, Fellow, Justify, Justifying, Meant, Neighbor, Neighbour, Righteous, Willing, Wishing
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 10:29

     6677   justification, necessity
     8770   idolatry, in NT
     8804   pride, examples
     8822   self-justification
     8824   self-righteousness, nature of

Luke 10:25-29

     8822   self-justification

Luke 10:25-37

     2357   Christ, parables
     5438   parables
     5838   disrespect
     8452   neighbours, duty to

Luke 10:27-37

     5053   responsibility, for world
     6690   mercy, response to God's

Luke 10:29-37

     8298   love, for one another
     8306   mercifulness

Library
Definiteness of Purpose in Christian Work
TEXT: "Salute no man by the way."--Luke 10:4. Luke is the only one of the Evangelists giving us the account of the sending out of the seventy. The others tell us that Christ called certain men unto him and commissioned them to tell his story; but in this instance after Jesus had said, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head," he calls the seventy and sends them forth prepared to endure any sacrifice or suffer any affliction if only
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

October 28 Evening
The Enemy.--LUKE 10:19. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.--Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 14 Evening
Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.--LUKE 10:41. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap. Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not. Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Having food and raiment let us be therewith content . . . They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

January 9 Evening
One thing is needful.--LUKE 10:42. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.--O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 8. "Pray Ye Therefore" (Luke x. 2).
"Pray Ye therefore" (Luke x. 2). Prayer is the mighty engine that is to move the missionary work. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest." We are asking God to touch the hearts of men every day by the Holy Ghost, so that they shall be compelled to go abroad and preach the Gospel. We are asking Him to wake them up at night with the solemn conviction that the heathen are perishing, and that their blood will be upon their souls, and God is answering
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Good Samaritan
LUKE x. 33, 34. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. No words, perhaps, ever spoken on earth, have had more effect than those of this parable. They are words of power and of spirit; living words, which have gone forth into the hearts and lives of men, and borne fruit in them of a hundred
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

The Tables Turned: the Questioners Questioned
'But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 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. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Messengers: their Equipment and Work
'After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place whither He Himself would come. 2. Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. 3. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. 5. And into whatsoever
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Neighbours Far Off
'And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27. 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. 28. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Sanctification
SANCTIFICATION [1] St Luke x. 42.--"One thing is needful." I have read many writings both of heathen philosophers and inspired prophets, ancient and modern, and have sought earnestly to discover what is the best and highest quality whereby man may approach most nearly to union with God, and whereby he may most resemble the ideal of himself which existed in God, before God created men. And after having thoroughly searched these writings as far as my reason may penetrate, I find no higher quality than
Johannes Eckhart—Meister Eckhart's Sermons

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 16, "He that Rejecteth You Rejecteth Me. "
1. What our Lord Jesus Crist at that time spake to His disciples was put in writing, and prepared for us to hear. And so we have heard His words. For what profit would it be to us if He were seen, and were not heard? And now it is no hurt, that He is not seen, and yet is heard. He saith then, "He that despiseth you, despiseth Me." [3300] If to the Apostles only He said, "He that despiseth you, despiseth Me;" do ye despise us. But if His word reach to us, and He hath called us, and set us in their
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is Plenteous," Etc.
1. By the lesson of the Gospel which has just been read, we are reminded to search what that harvest is of which the Lord says, "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest." [3262] Then to His twelve disciples, whom He also named Apostles, He added other seventy-two, and sent them all, as appears from His words, to the harvest then ready. What then was that harvest? For that harvest was not among these
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, "And a Certain Woman Named Martha Received Him into Her House," Etc.
1. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ which have just been read out of the Gospel, give us to understand, that there is some one thing for which we must be making, when we toil amid the manifold engagements of this life. Now we make for this as being yet in pilgrimage, and not in our abiding place; as yet in the way, not yet in our country; as yet in longing, not yet in enjoyment. Yet let us make for it, and that without sloth and without intermission, that we may some time be able to reach it. 2.
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Again, on the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, Etc. , About Martha and Mary.
1. When the holy Gospel was being read, we heard that the Lord was received by a religious woman into her house, and her name was Martha. And while she was occupied in the care of serving, her sister Mary was sitting at the Lord's Feet, and hearing His Word. The one was busy, the other was still; one was giving out, the other was being filled. Yet Martha, all busy as she was in that occupation and toil of serving, appealed to the Lord, and complained of her sister, that she did not help her in her
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On Dissipation
"This I speak -- that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction." 1 Cor. 7:35. 1. Almost in every part of our nation, more especially in the large and populous towns, we hear a general complaint among sensible persons, of the still increasing dissipation. It is observed to diffuse itself more and more, in the court, the city, and the country. From the continual mention which is made of this, and the continual declamations against it, one would naturally imagine that a word so commonly used
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The one Thing Needful
The mere posture of sitting down and listening to the Saviour's word was nothing in itself: it was that which it indicated. It indicated, in Mary's case, a readiness to believe what the Saviour taught, to accept and to obey--nay to delight in, the precepts which fell from his lips. And this is the one thing needful--absolutely needful; for no rebel can enter the kingdom of heaven with the weapons of rebellion in his hands. We cannot know Christ while we resist Christ: we must be reconciled to his
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Good Samaritan
(Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.) S. LUKE x. 30. "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves." The scene of the parable is a wild, lonely road between Jerusalem and Jericho. It is a road with an evil name for murder and robbery, and is called the red, or bloody way. The mishap of the traveller was common enough in our Lord's day, and is common enough now. But I would take the scene of this parable in a wider sense; I would ask you to look at it as the wayside of
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Zeal.
13th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke x., 23. "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" INTRODUCTION.--The Kingdom of Heaven, said our Lord, is like unto a treasure hid in a field. One day a man is turning over the stones which lie in a heap in a corner of the field, and he finds under them an iron chest, and this chest he believes to be full of gold. Then he carefully covers it up again with stones and earth, and goes off in the greatest excitement to the owner of the field, and offers him a price,
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Lorimer -- the Fall of Satan
George C. Lorimer was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1838. He was brought up by his stepfather who was associated with the theater, and in this relation he received a dramatic education and had some experience on the stage. In 1855 he came to the United States, where he joined the Baptist Church and abandoned the theatrical profession. Later he studied for the Baptist ministry, being ordained in 1859. He died in 1904. His direct and dramatic, pulpit style brought him into great popularity in Boston,
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8

Question on the Religious State
Are Contemplative Orders superior to Active Orders? Are Contemplative Orders superior to Active Orders? The Lord declared that Mary's was the best part, and she is the type of the contemplative life.[491] Religious Orders differ from one another primarily according to the ends they have in view, but secondarily according to the works they practise. And since one thing cannot be said to be superior to another save by reason of the differences between them, it will follow that the superiority of
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Christian Perfection
Definition of perfection: Unblemished, blameless, pure. We are commanded to be perfect. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."--Matt. 5:48. "For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."--2 Cor. 13:9, 11. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

The Christian's Fellow Man
Scripture references: Luke 10:29-37; Matthew 7:12; 5:16; Luke 12:13-15; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 7:3-5; 5:42-49; John 21:21, 22. MAN AND OTHER MEN The Question of Relationship.--One of the most important questions is that of the relation which a man shall hold to other men. 1. It is fundamental in every system of philosophy and religion. The answers, which are given, show their widespread practical bearing in the social, industrial and political spheres, as well as in the religious. 2. It is imperative
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

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