King James Version

What Does Luke 10:27 Mean?

Luke 10:27 in the King James Version says “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy stre... — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 10:27 · KJV


Context

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.

29

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse records the lawyer's response to Jesus' question, quoting and combining two Old Testament commands: Deuteronomy 6:5 (the Shema) and Leviticus 19:18. This synthesis became Jesus' own summary of the entire Law (Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:28-31). The command to "love the Lord thy God" (agapēseis Kyrion ton Theon sou, ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου) uses the future indicative form of agapaō (ἀγαπάω), which in Koine Greek often functions as imperative—a command, not mere prediction.

The fourfold description of totality—"with all thy heart, soul, strength, and mind" (ex holēs tēs kardias sou kai en holē tē psychē sou kai en holē tē ischyi sou kai en holē tē dianoia sou)—demands comprehensive devotion involving every dimension of human existence. "Heart" (kardia, καρδία) represents the center of personality, will, and emotions. "Soul" (psychē, ψυχή) indicates life-force and self. "Strength" (ischys, ἰσχύς) means physical power, energy, and ability. "Mind" (dianoia, διάνοια) refers to understanding, intelligence, and rational faculty. Together, these four terms encompass total human being—affections, will, physical capacity, and intellect. No aspect of personhood is excluded from love's claim.

The second command, "love thy neighbour as thyself" (ton plēsion sou hōs seauton, τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν), assumes proper self-love (not selfishness) as the measure for love of others. The term plēsion (πλησίον, "neighbor") means one who is near, but Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) radically expands "neighbor" to include anyone in need, even traditional enemies. These two commands are inseparable—genuine love for God inevitably produces love for God's image-bearers (1 John 4:20-21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The lawyer's quotation reflects standard Jewish theological understanding. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) was recited twice daily by observant Jews and inscribed on doorposts and phylacteries. It formed the theological foundation of Jewish monotheism and covenant loyalty. Leviticus 19:18's command to love one's neighbor was also well-known, though rabbinic debate focused on defining "neighbor"—some restricted it to fellow Jews, while others extended it to righteous Gentiles or proselytes.

Jesus' brilliance lay not in creating new commands but in recognizing these two as the comprehensive summary of all 613 commandments in the Torah. He stated that "on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:40)—meaning every other command derives from and serves these two foundational principles. This interpretive framework transformed Jewish legal tradition from complex casuistry to love-centered ethics.

The early church embraced this love-command as central to Christian ethics. Paul writes that "love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10) and that the entire law is "summed up in this word, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:14). James calls Leviticus 19:18 the "royal law" (James 2:8). John's epistles repeatedly emphasize that love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable (1 John 3:16-18, 4:7-21). Augustine later summarized Christian ethics as "Love God and do what you will," trusting that genuine love for God naturally produces righteous behavior.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to love God with 'all' your heart, soul, strength, and mind, leaving nothing in reserve?
  2. How does the command to love God with your 'mind' challenge anti-intellectual tendencies in some expressions of Christianity?
  3. What is the relationship between loving God supremely and loving your neighbor as yourself?
  4. How does Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (following this exchange) redefine who qualifies as 'neighbor'?
  5. In what ways do these two commands provide a framework for evaluating all other ethical questions and decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 38 words
1 of 38
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 38

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 38

he answering

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 38

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἀγαπήσεις5 of 38

Thou shalt love

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

κύριον6 of 38

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τὸν7 of 38
G3588

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

θεόν8 of 38

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

σου9 of 38

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ἐξ10 of 38

with

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὅλης11 of 38

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τῆς12 of 38
G3588

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

καρδίας13 of 38

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

σου14 of 38

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ15 of 38

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξ16 of 38

with

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὅλης17 of 38

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τῆς18 of 38
G3588

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

ψυχῆς19 of 38

soul

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

σου20 of 38

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ21 of 38

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξ22 of 38

with

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὅλης23 of 38

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τῆς24 of 38
G3588

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

ἰσχύος25 of 38

strength

G2479

compare ?????, a form of g2192); forcefulness (literally or figuratively)

σου26 of 38

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ27 of 38

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξ28 of 38

with

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὅλης29 of 38

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τῆς30 of 38
G3588

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

διανοίας31 of 38

mind

G1271

deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise

σου32 of 38

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ33 of 38

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν34 of 38
G3588

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

πλησίον35 of 38

neighbour

G4139

(adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, christian or friend)

σου36 of 38

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ὡς37 of 38

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

σεαυτόν38 of 38

thyself

G4572

of (with, to) thyself


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 10:27 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 10:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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