King James Version

What Does Luke 10:36 Mean?

Luke 10:36 in the King James Version says “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 10:36 · KJV

Context

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.

38

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus reverses the lawyer's question: 'Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?' (τίς τούτων τῶν τριῶν πλησίον δοκεῖ σοι γεγονέναι τοῦ ἐμπεσόντος εἰς τοὺς λῃστάς;). The lawyer had asked 'Who is my neighbor?' (v.29), seeking to limit obligation. Jesus asks 'Who proved neighbor?' shifting focus from receiving to giving, from rights to responsibilities. The perfect infinitive 'gegonenai' (γεγονέναι, to have become) emphasizes completed action—which one became a neighbor through his actions? This reframes ethics from minimalist compliance ('How little must I do?') to maximalist love ('How can I most fully love?').

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' question forces the lawyer to acknowledge that the despised Samaritan fulfilled the law's love command better than Jewish religious leaders. This was deeply humbling—he must praise the enemy and condemn his own people. Some manuscripts suggest the lawyer could not bring himself to say 'the Samaritan,' instead answering 'he that shewed mercy on him' (v.37). The parable exposes hypocrisy in religion that maintains theological correctness while lacking compassionate action (James 2:14-17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does shifting from asking who deserves our help to asking whom we can help transform Christian ethics?
  2. What forms of religious correctness without compassionate action does this parable challenge in your own life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
τίς1 of 14

“Which”

G5101

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

οὖν2 of 14

“now”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

τούτων3 of 14

“of these”

G5130

of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)

τῶν4 of 14
G3588

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

τριῶν5 of 14

“three”

G5140

"three"

δοκεῖ6 of 14

“thinkest”

G1380

compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)

σοι7 of 14

“thou”

G4671

to thee

πλησίον8 of 14

“neighbour”

G4139

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

γεγονέναι9 of 14

“was”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

τοῦ10 of 14
G3588

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

ἐμπεσόντος11 of 14

“unto him that fell”

G1706

to fall on, i.e., (literally) to be entrapped by, or (figuratively) be overwhelmed with

εἰς12 of 14

“among”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τοὺς13 of 14
G3588

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

λῃστάς14 of 14

“the thieves”

G3027

a brigand

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 10:36 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 10:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 7:42Matthew 21:28-31Matthew 17:25Matthew 22:42

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