What does Luke 10:37 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The answer to Jesus" question was simple and obvious. The lawyer seems to have understood the point of the parable because he did not describe the true neighbor as the Samaritan but as the man who showed mercy. On the other hand he may have avoided the use of the word "Samaritan" out of disdain. Showing mercy was the key issue, not the nationality of the neighbor. Racial and religious considerations were irrelevant. [source][source]

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Jesus ended the encounter by commanding the lawyer to begin to follow the Samaritan"s example. This is what he needed to do if he wanted to earn eternal life (cf. Luke 10:25). If he treated everyone with whom he had any dealings with compassion and mercy, he would be loving his neighbor in the sense that God commanded ( Luke 10:27; Leviticus 19:18). Thus Jesus showed that the real test of love is action, not just profession (cf. James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18). He also faced the lawyer with a humanly impossible obligation. Hopefully the man finally realized that and turned to Jesus for His justification ( Luke 10:29). [source][source]

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This parable obviously teaches that people should help other people who are in need when they encounter them, even though they may not have anything in common but their humanity. It is also a powerful polemic against prejudice and for compassion. Jesus Himself was the great example of the attitudes and actions that He advocated in this parable. The parallels between Jesus and the Samaritan are striking. However, it seems clear that Jesus did not give this parable to draw attention to Himself but to teach His disciples and the lawyer what it means to love one"s neighbor. They also learned that, properly understood, God"s demands are impossible to keep perfectly, so one must cast himself on God"s mercy if he hopes to obtain eternal life. [source][source]

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"The Parable implies not a mere enlargement of the Jewish ideas, but a complete change of them. It is truly a Gospel-Parable, for the whole old relationship of mere duty is changed into one of love. Thus, matters are placed on an entirely different basis from that of Judaism. The question now is not "Who is my neighbour?" but "Whose neighbour am I?"" ^[1] [source]

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