Luke 10:35

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.

Luke 10:35 (KJV)

Context

This verse concludes the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus told in response to a lawyer’s question about inheriting eternal life. In the parable, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked, stripped, beaten, and left half-dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan—someone despised by the Jews—stops, binds the man’s wounds, pours in oil and wine, and carries him to an inn. In Luke 10:35, the Samaritan gives the innkeeper two pence and promises to repay any extra cost when he returns.

Meaning

The two pence represent a substantial provision for the wounded man’s care, and the promise to repay shows that the Samaritan’s compassion is not a one-time gesture but an ongoing commitment. He takes practical, costly steps to ensure the man’s recovery, entrusting the innkeeper with continued care and accepting personal responsibility for future expenses. This action reveals the depth of neighborly love: it is willing to invest resources, extend trust, and follow through on promises.

Biblical connections

Jesus concludes the parable by telling the lawyer to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37), directly applying the Samaritan’s example to every listener. The Samaritan’s care mirrors the love that God shows to the helpless, and his willingness to pay the full cost points to the self-sacrificial love that Jesus himself would demonstrate.

Application

This verse challenges us to move beyond words and offer practical help to those in need, even when it costs us personally. It calls us to be generous with our resources, to take responsibility for the well-being of others, and to remain faithful to our commitments. True neighborly love crosses social boundaries and provides for both immediate needs and future contingencies.

Reflection

Consider how you can follow the Samaritan’s example this week. Is there someone in your life who needs not just sympathy but tangible support? Ask God to give you a heart that is willing to give sacrificially and to follow through on the care you begin.