King James Version

What Does Luke 10:26 Mean?

Luke 10:26 in the King James Version says “He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?” — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?”

Luke 10:26 · KJV

Context

24

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

25

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? Jesus responds to the lawyer's question ("What shall I do to inherit eternal life?") by redirecting him to Scripture. The Greek phrase en tō nomō ti gegraptai (ἐν τῷ νόμῳ τί γέγραπται) asks "in the law what has been written?" The perfect tense gegraptai (γέγραπται) indicates something written in the past with continuing authority—Scripture's permanent, binding nature.

The second question, "how readest thou?" (pōs anaginōskeis, πῶς ἀναγινώσκεις), goes deeper than mere recitation. The verb anaginōskō (ἀναγινώσκω) means to know again, recognize, or understand. Jesus asks not just what the text says but how the lawyer interprets and applies it. This reflects rabbinic teaching methods where questions prompted thinking rather than providing direct answers.

Jesus's pedagogical approach is brilliant: rather than letting the lawyer remain passive, He engages him actively in Scripture. This method accomplishes several purposes: (1) it reveals that the lawyer already knows the answer intellectually; (2) it exposes the gap between knowledge and practice; (3) it demonstrates that Scripture itself, properly understood, testifies to truth; (4) it shifts responsibility from Jesus to the questioner. The pattern anticipates Jesus's regular practice of answering questions with questions, forcing people to examine their own hearts and assumptions (Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 10:2-9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This exchange occurs within Luke's travel narrative (9:51-19:27) as Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem and His crucifixion. The questioner is described as a nomikos (νομικός)—a lawyer or expert in Mosaic law, likely a scribe or Pharisee. These professionals devoted their lives to studying, interpreting, and teaching Torah, holding significant religious and social authority in Jewish society.

The question "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" reflected contemporary Jewish theological debates about salvation, works, and covenant relationship. Different schools (Hillel vs. Shammai, Pharisees vs. Sadducees) held varying views on requirements for eternal life, relationship between faith and works, and the scope of God's commands.

Luke notes the lawyer asked this to "test" (ekpeirazō, ἐκπειράζω) Jesus—not seeking genuine instruction but attempting to expose theological error or heterodoxy. Such challenges were common as religious leaders sought to trap Jesus in controversial statements that could discredit Him with the people or Roman authorities. Jesus's response brilliantly avoided the trap while exposing the questioner's heart. The subsequent parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) would devastate common Jewish assumptions about who qualified as "neighbor," demonstrating that knowledge of Scripture without compassionate application is worthless.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's question-based teaching method challenge our desire for easy answers to spiritual questions?
  2. What is the difference between knowing what Scripture says and truly understanding how to read and apply it?
  3. In what ways might we approach Scripture seeking to justify ourselves rather than genuinely learn God's will?
  4. How does the lawyer's question about doing reveal misunderstanding about the relationship between works and salvation?
  5. What does this passage teach about the importance of not just reading but rightly interpreting and applying God's Word?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
ὁ1 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 12
G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 12

“He said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς4 of 12

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτόν5 of 12

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἐν6 of 12

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ7 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμῳ8 of 12

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

τί9 of 12

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

γέγραπται10 of 12

“is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

πῶς11 of 12

“how”

G4459

an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!

ἀναγινώσκεις12 of 12

“readest thou”

G314

to know again, i.e., (by extension) to read

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 10:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 10:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 8:20Romans 10:5Galatians 3:21-22Romans 3:19Romans 4:14-16Galatians 3:12-13

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