And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

LUKE 10:28KJV
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Luke 10:28 (KJV)

What does Luke 10:28 mean?

Luke 10:28 records Jesus affirming that the answer given to his question—about how to inherit eternal life—is correct, and he tells the person to act on that answer to truly live. The verse highlights that knowing the right thing is not enough; actually doing it is what leads to life.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a lawyer (an expert in Jewish law) who has just summarized the law as loving God and loving one’s neighbor. Jesus responds by saying the man has answered well and encourages him to put his knowledge into practice. The focus is on action, not just understanding, as the way to experience the life God intends.

The Greek behind Luke 10:28

  • Ὀρθῶς (orthōs, “right”): This word means “correctly” or “rightly.” Jesus is affirming that the lawyer’s summary of the law is accurate, not just technically but in its spirit.
  • Ποίει (poiei, “do”): This is a command form, emphasizing ongoing action. Jesus is not just telling the man to do this once, but to make it a way of life.
  • Ζήσῃ (zēsē, “live”): The Greek word here can mean both physical life and the deeper sense of true, full life. Jesus is pointing to a quality of life that comes from living out love for God and neighbor.

Why Luke 10:28 matters

  • Luke 10:28 clarifies that Jesus values living out faith through action, not just having the right answers or beliefs.
  • This verse connects directly to the wider story, setting up the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus will illustrate what it means to “do” as he commands here.
  • The verse helps correct the misunderstanding that eternal life is about knowledge alone; instead, it is tied to a life shaped by love and obedience.

Where else these words appear

“right” Greek G3723 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 7:35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
  • Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
  • Luke 20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

“live” Greek G2198 · used in 127 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.