Luke 10:37
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποίει
He that shewed
G4160
ποίει
He that shewed
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
5 of 19
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετ'
on
G3326
μετ'
on
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 19
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
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 19
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Πορεύου
Go
G4198
Πορεύου
Go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
15 of 19
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?1 Peter 2:21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.Matthew 23:23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Proverbs 14:21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.Hosea 6:6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the impossible standard of this parable drive us both to despair of self-righteousness and to radical love?
- What contemporary 'Samaritans' (despised outsiders) might Jesus use as examples of genuine faith to challenge our prejudices?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.