King James Version

What Does Luke 10:37 Mean?

Luke 10:37 in the King James Version says “And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 10:37 · KJV

Context

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.

39

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The lawyer answers: 'He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise' (ὁ ποιήσας τὸ ἔλεος μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ. εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Πορεύου καὶ σὺ ποίει ὁμοίως). Jesus' command 'poreuou kai sy poiei homoiōs' (Πορεύου καὶ σὺ ποίει ὁμοίως, Go and do likewise) is present imperative—continuous, habitual action. The standard is not minimal compliance but the Samaritan's costly, comprehensive love. This impossible demand should drive the lawyer (and us) to recognize our inability to perfectly fulfill the law and our need for grace. Yet it also establishes the Christian ethic: those saved by grace must extend costly love to all, especially enemies and outcasts.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' command challenged the entire social structure of first-century Judaism, which maintained strict boundaries between clean/unclean, Jew/Gentile, righteous/sinner. The early church struggled to implement this radical inclusion (Acts 10-11, Galatians 2). Yet the gospel's power broke down these walls, creating communities where 'there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free' (Galatians 3:28). The parable became foundational for Christian ethics of universal neighbor-love and care for the marginalized.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should the impossible standard of this parable drive us both to despair of self-righteousness and to radical love?
  2. What contemporary 'Samaritans' (despised outsiders) might Jesus use as examples of genuine faith to challenge our prejudices?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ὁ1 of 19
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 19

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 19

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ὁ4 of 19
G3588

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

ποίει5 of 19

“He that shewed”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸ6 of 19
G3588

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

ἔλεος7 of 19

“mercy”

G1656

compassion (human or divine, especially active)

μετ'8 of 19

“on”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτῷ9 of 19

“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

εἶπεν10 of 19

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

οὖν11 of 19

“Then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτῷ12 of 19

“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

ὁ13 of 19
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς14 of 19

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Πορεύου15 of 19

“Go”

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

καὶ16 of 19

“and”

G2532

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

σὺ17 of 19

“thou”

G4771

thou

ποίει18 of 19

“He that shewed”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ὁμοίως19 of 19

“likewise”

G3668

similarly

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 10:37 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 10:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 3:16-18Micah 6:81 Peter 2:212 Corinthians 8:91 John 4:10-11Luke 6:32-36

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