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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 10:29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/10-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/42_Luk_10_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 10:29 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/10-28.htm" title="Luke 10:28">◄</a> Luke 10:29 <a href="/luke/10-30.htm" title="Luke 10:30">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, &#8220And who is my neighbor?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, &#8220And who is my neighbor?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But he, wishing to justify <i>and</i> vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, &#8220And who is my neighbor?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, "Who are my neighbors?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the man wanted to justify his question. So he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But the teacher of the Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ?And who is my neighbor??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the expert, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, said, "But what is meant by my 'fellow man'?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he, willing to declare himself righteous, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he, willing to declare himself righteous, said unto Jesus, 'And who is my neighbour?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But since he wanted to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But as he wanted to justify himself, he said to him, And who is my neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But as he wanted to justify himself, he said to him, “And who is my neighbor?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But, wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus: And who is my neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then he, desirous to make himself appear a righteous person, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but he being desirous to clear himself, said to Jesus, but what is meant by our neighbour?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But he, desiring to justify himself, said, "But what is meant by my 'fellow man'?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But he willing to justify himself said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/10-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=4330" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/10.htm">The Parable of the Good Samaritan</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.” <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">wanting</a> <a href="/greek/1344.htm" title="1344: dikaiōsai (V-ANA) -- From dikaios; to render just or innocent.">to justify</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heauton (RefPro-AM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">himself,</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">he asked</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsoun (N-AMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“And</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">who</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/4139.htm" title="4139: plēsion (Adv) -- Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.">neighbor?”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">30</span>Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-35.htm">Matthew 22:35-40</a></span><br />One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question: / “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” / Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Mark 12:28-34</a></span><br />Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” / Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a></span><br />Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a></span><br />The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a></span><br />If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a></span><br />And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20-21</a></span><br />If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-3</a></span><br />If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43-48</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ / But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, / that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a></span><br />A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?</p><p class="hdg">willing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Luke 16:15</a></b></br> And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-11</a></b></br> And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Leviticus 19:34</a></b></br> <i>But</i> the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I <i>am</i> the LORD your God.</p><p class="hdg">And.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/10-36.htm">Luke 10:36</a></b></br> Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43,44</a></b></br> Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/8-39.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/luke/8-41.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/luke/10-28.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/micah/6-11.htm">Justify</a> <a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Justifying</a> <a href="/luke/9-45.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/luke/10-28.htm">Right</a> <a href="/luke/5-33.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/luke/10-24.htm">Wanted</a> <a href="/luke/5-14.htm">Willing</a> <a href="/luke/8-20.htm">Wishing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-18.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/luke/10-36.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Justify</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Justifying</a> <a href="/luke/15-26.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/luke/10-36.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/luke/10-36.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/luke/12-42.htm">Right</a> <a href="/luke/12-57.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Wanted</a> <a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Willing</a> <a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Wishing</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-1.htm">Jesus sends out at once seventy disciples to work miracles, and to preach;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">pronounces a woe against certain cities.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-17.htm">The seventy return with joy; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-18.htm">he shows them wherein to rejoice, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-21.htm">and thanks his Father for his grace;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-23.htm">magnifies the happy estate of his church;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-25.htm">teaches the lawyer how to attain eternal life, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm">and tells the parable of the good Samaritan;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/10-38.htm">reprimands Martha, and commends Mary her sister.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But wanting to justify himself</b><br>The phrase indicates the lawyer's desire to appear righteous and knowledgeable in front of Jesus and the crowd. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, maintaining one's honor and status was crucial. The lawyer's question follows Jesus' affirmation of the greatest commandments, which include loving one's neighbor. His attempt to justify himself suggests a self-righteous attitude, common among the Pharisees and experts in the law, who often sought to test Jesus (<a href="/luke/11-53.htm">Luke 11:53-54</a>). This reflects the human tendency to seek self-justification rather than relying on God's grace, a theme echoed in <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a>, where Paul states that no one will be justified by the works of the law.<p><b>he asked Jesus</b><br>The act of questioning Jesus was a common practice among the religious leaders of the time, often used to challenge His authority or trap Him in His words (<a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15</a>). This interaction is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is frequently confronted by those who are skeptical of His teachings. The lawyer's question is not merely for information but is a test of Jesus' interpretation of the law, which was a central concern for the Jewish leaders. Jesus often used such questions as opportunities to teach deeper spiritual truths, as seen in His parables and responses throughout the Gospels.<p><b>“And who is my neighbor?”</b><br>This question reflects a common debate among Jewish scholars of the time regarding the scope of the commandment to love one's neighbor (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>). Many Jews interpreted "neighbor" to mean fellow Israelites or those within their religious community. By asking this, the lawyer seeks to limit the scope of his obligation, a tendency to define moral duties in minimal terms. Jesus' response, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, expands the definition of "neighbor" to include all people, regardless of race or religion, challenging the prevailing cultural and religious boundaries. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's love and mercy extending to all humanity, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/56-7.htm">Isaiah 56:7</a> and <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lawyer.htm">The Lawyer</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure who responds to the lawyer's question with a parable, teaching about the true nature of neighborly love.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>This interaction takes place during Jesus' ministry, as He travels and teaches about the Kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_justification.htm">Understanding Justification</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/defining_'neighbor'.htm">Defining 'Neighbor'</a></b><br>Jesus challenges the narrow definition of 'neighbor' by illustrating that neighborly love transcends ethnic, religious, and social boundaries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_love_in_action.htm">Practical Love in Action</a></b><br>The parable that follows this verse emphasizes that love is demonstrated through action and compassion, not merely through words or intentions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to examine their own hearts and attitudes towards others, ensuring they reflect Christ's love and compassion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_out_the_gospel.htm">Living Out the Gospel</a></b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_a_true_neighbor_to_the_needy.htm">Who truly acts as a neighbor to those in need?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_littering_considered_a_sin.htm">Who qualifies as my neighbor?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_qualifies_as_my_neighbor.htm">Who qualifies as my neighbor?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_a_rabbi_talk_to_a_samaritan_woman.htm">What evidence supports that a Jewish rabbi would openly converse with a Samaritan woman, considering the strong cultural barriers in John 4:9? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) <span class= "bld">But he, willing to justify himself . . .</span>--The question implied a conscience half-awakened and uneasy. It is characteristic that no doubt seems to cross his mind as to his love of God. There he felt that he was safe. But there were misgivings as to the second commandment, and, as if feeling that there had been a tone of rebuke in our Lord's answer, he vindicates himself by asking the question, "Who is my neighbour?" No one, he thinks, could accuse him of neglecting his duties to those who lived in the same village, attended the same synagogue, who were Pharisees like himself, or even Israelites.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And who is my neighbour?</span> The self-righteous, but probably rigidly conscientious, Jewish scholar, looking into the clear, truthful eyes of the Galilaean Master he had been taught to hate as the enemy of his own narrow, lightless creed, was struck, perhaps for the first time, with the moral beauty of the words of his own Law. Of the first part, <span class="accented">his duty towards God</span>, as far as his poor distorted mind could grasp the idea, he was at ease in his conscience. The tithe, down to the anise and cummin, had been scrupulously paid; his fasts had been rigidly observed, his feasts carefully kept, his prayer-formulas never neglected. Yes; as regards <span class="accented">God</span>, the Pharisee-lawyer's conscience was at ease! But his neighbour? He thought of his conduct towards that simple, truthful-looking Galilaean Rabbi, Jesus, that very day; trying to trip him up in his words, longing to do him injury - <span class="accented">injury</span> to that worn-looking, loving Man who had never done <span class="accented">him</span> any harm, and who, report said, was only living to do others good. Was <span class="accented">he</span>, perchance, his neighbour? So, vexed and uneasy - but it seems in perfect honesty now, and in good faith - he asks this further question, "Master, tell me, who do you teach should be included in the term 'neighbour'?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/10-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wanting</span><br /><span class="grk">θέλων</span> <span class="translit">(thelōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to justify</span><br /><span class="grk">δικαιῶσαι</span> <span class="translit">(dikaiōsai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1344.htm">Strong's 1344: </a> </span><span class="str2">From dikaios; to render just or innocent.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">himself,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑαυτὸν</span> <span class="translit">(heauton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> </span><span class="str2">Himself, herself, itself. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he asked</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπεν</span> <span class="translit">(eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesus,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦν</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsoun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“And</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="grk">τίς</span> <span class="translit">(tis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστίν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">neighbor?”</span><br /><span class="grk">πλησίον</span> <span class="translit">(plēsion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4139.htm">Strong's 4139: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/10-29.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 10:29 But he desiring to justify himself asked (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/10-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 10:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 10:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 10:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 10:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>