What Does Luke 10:28 Mean?

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. Jesus affirms the lawyer's correct summary of the law: love God completely (Deuteronomy 6:5) and neighbor as self (Leviticus 19:18). The phrase orthōs apekrithēs (ὀρθῶς ἀπεκρίθης, "you have answered right") acknowledges theological accuracy. The lawyer knows Scripture intellectually—but knowledge isn't salvation.

The command touto poiei (τοῦτο ποίει, "this do") uses the present imperative, indicating continuous, habitual action: keep on doing this perfectly, always, without fail. The promise and thou shalt live (kai zēsē, καὶ ζήσῃ) echoes Leviticus 18:5, "which if a man do, he shall live in them." Here's the devastating reality: the law's promise of life is genuine—perfect obedience would yield eternal life. But who has loved God with all heart, soul, strength, and mind? Who has loved neighbors as themselves consistently?

Jesus doesn't say, "Try your best" or "Do reasonably well." He demands perfection because the law demands perfection (Matthew 5:48). This drives the lawyer—and every honest person—to recognize their failure and need for grace. Paul later explains this dynamic: the law was never meant to save but to reveal sin and drive us to Christ (Romans 3:20, 7:7-13, Galatians 3:24). The lawyer's next question ("Who is my neighbor?") reveals he's already looking for loopholes—proving he doesn't love perfectly and can't save himself.