New Testament

Luke 10:29

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, a man seeks to justify his actions and beliefs by questioning Jesus about the definition of a 'neighbor.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

But the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who exactly is my neighbor?"

KJVKing James Version

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, a man seeks to justify his actions and beliefs by questioning Jesus about the definition of a 'neighbor.' This reflects a common human tendency to look for loopholes in moral obligations. The man likely wants to limit his responsibility to help others, hoping to define 'neighbor' narrowly. Jesus, however, challenges this notion throughout the parable that follows, illustrating that love and compassion should extend beyond social or ethnic boundaries. The inquiry reveals a deeper issue of self-righteousness, as the man is more concerned with his own standing than with the needs of others. This moment sets the stage for Jesus to teach about true neighborliness, emphasizing that it is not about who qualifies as a neighbor, but rather how we treat those around us, regardless of their background or status. The question invites us to reflect on our own attitudes towards others and challenges us to expand our understanding of community and compassion.

How to apply Luke 10:29 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine our own attitudes towards helping others. Instead of seeking to justify our inaction, we should strive to love and serve those around us, regardless of their background or circumstances. True neighborliness requires us to act with compassion and kindness.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 10:29 mean?

In Luke 10:29, a man asks Jesus who his neighbor is, trying to justify his own beliefs and actions. This question highlights a common tendency to limit our moral responsibilities and sets the stage for Jesus to teach about the broader meaning of love and compassion.

What is the meaning of 'neighbor' in Luke 10:29?

In this verse, 'neighbor' refers not just to those who are close to us or similar to us, but to anyone in need. Jesus uses this question to challenge the idea of who qualifies as a neighbor, emphasizing that love should extend to all people.

How does Luke 10:29 relate to compassion?

Luke 10:29 relates to compassion by illustrating the need to look beyond our own definitions of neighborliness. It challenges us to act with kindness and love towards all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.