What does Luke 10:37 mean?

Explanation

The verse [Luke 10:37] falls at the climax of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which is a story Jesus tells in response to a question about who is considered a neighbor worthy of love.

In the parable, a man is robbed, beaten, and left on the side of the road.

A priest and a Levite both see the man but pass by without helping.

Then, a Samaritan, who is viewed by Jews at the time as an outsider and enemy, stops to help the injured man.

He treats his wounds and ensures the man is taken care of at an inn.

When asked by Jesus, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" the expert in the law responds, "He that shewed mercy on him." Jesus's reply, "Go, and do thou likewise," indicates that the act of mercy is the defining characteristic of a true neighbor.

The verse serves to illustrate the importance of compassion and kindness to anyone in need, regardless of social, ethnic, or religious boundaries.

Historical Context

The parable was told in a time when Jews and Samaritans had significant religious and ethnic animosities toward each other.

Their dispute was rooted in differences over the correct place to worship and their respective ancestral claims.

By making the Samaritan the hero of the story, Jesus challenges deep-seated prejudices and social norms of the time, suggesting that love and mercy transcend these divisions.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, the parable and the verse in question underscore a movement away from legalism toward the universality of love. Main theological insights include:

• The importance of mercy and compassion over ritual purity (which the priest and Levite may have been concerned with).
• A redefining of 'neighbor' to mean all humanity, not just one's community or religious/ethnic group.
• An embodiment of Jesus's teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:31).

Other religious perspectives might interpret this parable differently. For example, some Jewish interpretations would place it in the context of the Jewish laws of lovingkindness (chesed) and might focus more on the importance of these laws in everyday life.

Practical Applications

The teachings of the verse can be applied in daily life by:

• Encouraging individuals to assist others in need, regardless of their identity.
• Promoting inclusivity and combating prejudice, as the verse exemplifies that anyone can be a 'neighbor'.
• Inspiring charitable actions and the willingness to go out of one’s way to help others.

Cross-References

• Leviticus 19:18: "...but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
• Matthew 25:40: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
• James 2:13: "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

Language Study

• "shewed" (Greek: ποιέω poiéō) typically means "to make" or "to do." In this context, it relates to the act of showing or demonstrating.
• "mercy" (Greek: ἔλεος eleos) is used to describe compassion or pity for someone in a distressed or miserable state.
• "Go, and do thou likewise" uses the word "do" (Greek: ποίει poieí), which is an imperative form of ποιέω poiéō, meaning it is a command to act in the same manner.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In cultural and religious comparisons, the concept of extending help to strangers can be found in other ancient traditions.

For example, in the Hebrew Bible, there are various laws about treating the stranger or the alien with kindness, as in Exodus 22:21.

In Islam, one of the Five Pillars is zakat, or charitable giving, which underscores helping those in need, including strangers.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, concepts such as altruism and reciprocity have been explored in the fields of evolutionary biology and psychology. These studies often look at the benefits of cooperative behaviors and how they may have evolved.

The verse might be seen as encouraging altruistic behavior, which is supported by research that shows the societal and psychological benefits of helping others.

Commentaries

Diverse commentaries on [Luke 10:37] reflect on its significance:

• Some emphasize the radical nature of Jesus' teaching, as it broke social boundaries of the time.
• Others focus on the application for Christian life, stressing that faith without works is dead (echoing James 2:26).
• William Barclay notes the parable's demonstration that it is not the creed, nor nationality, nor the church one belongs to that determines one's neighbor, but the need and the response to that need.
• Matthew Henry’s commentary elaborates on the merciful acts of the Samaritan as a reflection of Christ's mercy on mankind, suggesting the parable also points to the kindness Jesus himself embodies and offers.