What does Luke 10:26 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Rather than answering the lawyer"s question outright Jesus directed him to the authority they both accepted, the Old Testament. Moreover by asking this counter-question Jesus put Himself in the position of evaluating the lawyer"s answer rather than having the lawyer evaluate His answer. [source][source]

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Context Summary

This parable was probably suggested by the journey up to Jerusalem. It may be founded on an actual occurrence. Notice how the Master answered the inquiry, Who is my neighbor? He said in effect: The question is not, Who will "neighbor" you? but, Whom will you "neighbor?" You ought to ask, Who wants my help? Neighborhood consists, not in what you receive, but in what you give. It is independent of race, creed and the ordinary sentiment of pity. Love overleaps all these distinctions and risks its very life in order to render help. In fact, this parable is a very poem of Love. It is to be compared with 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

Notice those two clauses, He took care of him and Take care of him, Luke 10:34-35. It is thus that our Lord deals with us. When we are too far gone to ask for His help, He comes to our side and restores our ebbing life; and He raises up others to do the same. At the best, we are pilgrims and refresh ourselves in inns, but the home awaits us yonder! Begin by loving with your "strength" and you will end with the "heart!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 10

¹  Jesus sends out at once seventy disciples to work miracles, and to preach;
¹³  pronounces a woe against certain cities
¹⁷  The seventy return with joy;
¹⁸  he shows them wherein to rejoice,
²¹  and thanks his Father for his grace;
²³  magnifies the happy estate of his church;
²⁵  teaches the lawyer how to attain eternal life,
³⁰  and tells the parable of the good Samaritan;
³⁸  reprimands Martha, and commends Mary her sister