King James Version

What Does Luke 10:35 Mean?

Luke 10:35 in the King James Version says “And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of hi...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again , I will repay thee.”

Luke 10:35 · KJV

Context

33

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again , I will repay thee.

36

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. The Samaritan's care extends beyond immediate rescue to ongoing provision. The phrase epi tēn aurion (ἐπὶ τὴν αὔριον, "on the morrow") shows this wasn't hurried charity—he stayed overnight, monitoring the victim's condition. Two pence (duo dēnaria, δύο δηνάρια)—two denarii—represented two days' wages for a laborer, sufficient for extended lodging and care.

The instructions Take care of him (epimelēthēti autou, ἐπιμελήθητι αὐτοῦ) use the imperative of epimeleomαι, meaning to care for diligently, attend carefully. The Samaritan doesn't dump the victim and leave—he arranges ongoing care, accepts financial responsibility, and promises to return. The phrase whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee (ho ti an prosdapanēsēs egō en tō epanerchestahai me apodōsō soi, ὅ τι ἂν προσδαπανήσῃς ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ ἐπανέρχεσθαί με ἀποδώσω σοι) constitutes an open-ended commitment—blank check compassion.

This extravagant generosity pictures Christ's redemptive work. Like the Samaritan, Jesus found us beaten, robbed (by sin), left for dead. He provided immediate rescue (justification), ongoing care (sanctification through the Spirit and church), and promised return to complete our healing (glorification). The 'inn' represents the church, where believers are cared for until Christ returns. The 'two pence' may symbolize Word and Spirit, or the dual command to love God and neighbor—resources for our journey. Commentators through church history have seen this parable as gospel allegory: we are the wounded traveler; Christ is the Samaritan; the inn is the church; the promised return is the Second Coming.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Two denarii (approximately two days' wages) would cover several days at a first-century inn, which provided basic lodging for travelers along major routes. The Samaritan's promise to return and settle any additional costs was legally binding—he made himself personally responsible for a stranger's complete recovery. This radical generosity contrasted sharply with cultural expectations, especially given Jewish-Samaritan animosity. The host (innkeeper) would have found this arrangement unusual but financially attractive—guaranteed payment from a returning customer.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Samaritan's open-ended financial commitment illustrate the costliness of genuine love?
  2. In what ways does this verse picture Christ's ongoing care for believers between His first and second comings?
  3. What does the Samaritan's promise to return and repay teach about Christian responsibility to follow through on commitments to help others?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
καὶ1 of 28

“And”

G2532

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

ἐπὶ2 of 28

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν3 of 28
G3588

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

αὔριον4 of 28

“the morrow”

G839

properly, fresh, i.e., (adverb with ellipsis of g2250) to-morrow

ἐξελθὼν,5 of 28

“when he departed”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐκβαλὼν6 of 28

“he took out”

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

δύο7 of 28

“two”

G1417

"two"

δηνάρια8 of 28

“pence”

G1220

a denarius (or ten asses)

ἔδωκεν9 of 28

“and gave”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τῷ10 of 28
G3588

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

πανδοχεῖ11 of 28

“them to the host”

G3830

an innkeeper (warden of a caravanserai)

καὶ12 of 28

“And”

G2532

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

εἶπεν13 of 28

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῦ14 of 28

“of 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

Ἐπιμελήθητι15 of 28

“Take care”

G1959

to care for (physically or otherwise)

αὐτοῦ16 of 28

“of 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

καὶ17 of 28

“And”

G2532

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

ὅ18 of 28
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τι19 of 28
G5100

some or any person or object

ἂν20 of 28
G302

whatsoever

προσδαπανήσῃς21 of 28

“thou spendest more”

G4325

to expend additionally

ἐγὼ22 of 28

“I”

G1473

i, me

ἐν23 of 28

“come again”

G1722

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

τῷ24 of 28
G3588

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

ἐπανέρχεσθαί25 of 28
G1880

to come up on, i.e., return

με26 of 28

“when I”

G3165

me

ἀποδώσω27 of 28

“will repay”

G591

to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)

σοι28 of 28

“thee”

G4671

to thee

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 10:35 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 10:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 19:17Luke 14:13Romans 16:23Matthew 20:2

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