Luke 10:36 (KJV)

What does Luke 10:36 mean?

Luke 10:36 is Jesus’ question at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan, asking which of the three men acted as a neighbor to the man who was attacked by robbers. Jesus is guiding the listener to see that being a neighbor is about showing mercy, not about social or religious boundaries.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a lawyer (an expert in Jewish law) who had asked, “Who is my neighbor?” After telling the story of a man left for dead and the responses of a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan, Jesus asks the lawyer to judge which person truly acted as a neighbor. The verse shifts the focus from defining “neighbor” by group identity to defining it by compassionate action.

The Greek behind Luke 10:36

• ὁ πλησίον (ho plēsion, G4139): This word is translated “neighbor” and often means someone who is near or close by, but in this context, it is about who acts as a neighbor—who shows care and compassion—rather than just physical proximity or shared background.
• ἐμπεσόντα (empesonta, G1706): This word means “fell among” or “encountered,” describing the man’s misfortune with the thieves. It highlights the vulnerability of the victim and sets up the need for someone to respond with help.
• λῃσταῖς (lēstais, G3027): This is the word for “thieves” or “robbers,” emphasizing the danger and violence of the situation, which makes the Samaritan’s help even more striking.

Why Luke 10:36 matters

• Luke 10:36 challenges the common assumption that a neighbor is simply someone from one’s own group or community, instead showing that a true neighbor is anyone who acts with mercy.
• The verse draws attention to the importance of actions over status or religious identity, as the Samaritan—considered an outsider—was the one who fulfilled the command to love one’s neighbor.
• This question from Jesus invites the listener (and the reader) to personally reflect on their own definition of “neighbor” and to consider how they respond to those in need, regardless of social boundaries.