Luke 10:37
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Luke 10:37 (KJV)
Context
This verse concludes the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A lawyer had asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied by asking what the law requires, and the lawyer correctly quoted the two greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.
To illustrate the meaning of “neighbor,” Jesus told of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell among thieves, was robbed, beaten, and left half-dead. A priest and a Levite passed by without helping. A Samaritan—despised by the Jews—stopped, showed compassion, bound the man’s wounds, poured oil and wine on them, took him to an inn, paid for his care, and promised to cover further expenses.
Meaning
After the parable, Jesus asked which of the three proved to be a neighbor. The lawyer answered, “He that shewed mercy on him.” Jesus then commanded, “Go, and do thou likewise.”
The lawyer’s question had been “Who is my neighbour?” Jesus does not answer with a definition but with a command. The neighbor is not the one who receives mercy but the one who shows it. The command is personal, immediate, and imperative. Knowing what is right must lead to doing what is right.
The Samaritan’s mercy involved risk, cost, and personal involvement. He crossed ethnic and religious boundaries, used his own resources, and ensured continued care. The verse calls for the same practical, costly compassion. Mercy is not merely sentiment; it is obedience demonstrated in action.
Biblical connections
True neighborliness is not defined by religious or ethnic background but by willingness to extend mercy. This echoes the law’s command to love one’s neighbor as oneself, which the lawyer had quoted. Jesus redirects the discussion from defining a category to performing mercy.
Application
We are called to imitate Jesus’ example by loving our neighbors and demonstrating God’s mercy. This verse urges us to be alert to opportunities to show kindness, serve those who are hurting, and actively seek to bless others regardless of their social standing. By doing so, we fulfill the command to “go and do likewise,” embodying the heart of the gospel in everyday life.
Reflection
The verse challenges any attempt to limit the command to a particular group or situation. It reorients the question from “Who is my neighbor?” to “Am I a neighbor?” The command is universal and timeless, applying to all who would follow Christ. It turns the parable into a summons: mercy is the defining characteristic of neighborliness, and true religion is demonstrated in compassionate action.
