Discovery BoxLuke 10:15-37
Context10:15 And you, Capernaum, 1 will you be exalted to heaven? 2 No, you will be thrown down to Hades! 3
10:16 “The one who listens 4 to you listens to me, 5 and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects 6 the one who sent me.” 7
10:17 Then 8 the seventy-two 9 returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to 10 us in your name!” 11 10:18 So 12 he said to them, “I saw 13 Satan fall 14 like lightning 15 from heaven. 10:19 Look, I have given you authority to tread 16 on snakes and scorpions 17 and on the full force of the enemy, 18 and nothing will 19 hurt you. 10:20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that 20 the spirits submit to you, but rejoice 21 that your names stand written 22 in heaven.”
10:21 On that same occasion 23 Jesus 24 rejoiced 25 in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise 26 you, Father, Lord 27 of heaven and earth, because 28 you have hidden these things from the wise 29 and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 30 10:22 All things have been given to me by my Father. 31 No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides 32 to reveal him.”
10:23 Then 33 Jesus 34 turned 35 to his 36 disciples and said privately, “Blessed 37 are the eyes that see what you see! 10:24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see 38 what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
10:25 Now 39 an expert in religious law 40 stood up to test Jesus, 41 saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 42 10:26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you understand it?” 43 10:27 The expert 44 answered, “Love 45 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, 46 and love your neighbor as yourself.” 47 10:28 Jesus 48 said to him, “You have answered correctly; 49 do this, and you will live.”
10:29 But the expert, 50 wanting to justify 51 himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 10:30 Jesus replied, 52 “A man was going down 53 from Jerusalem 54 to Jericho, 55 and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat 56 him up, and went off, leaving him half dead. 57 10:31 Now by chance 58 a priest was going down that road, but 59 when he saw the injured man 60 he passed by 61 on the other side. 62 10:32 So too a Levite, when he came up to 63 the place and saw him, 64 passed by on the other side. 10:33 But 65 a Samaritan 66 who was traveling 67 came to where the injured man 68 was, and when he saw him, he felt compassion for him. 69 10:34 He 70 went up to him 71 and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil 72 and wine on them. Then 73 he put him on 74 his own animal, 75 brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 10:35 The 76 next day he took out two silver coins 77 and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever else you spend, I will repay you when I come back this way.’ 78 10:36 Which of these three do you think became a neighbor 79 to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 10:37 The expert in religious law 80 said, “The one who showed mercy 81 to him.” So 82 Jesus said to him, “Go and do 83 the same.”
[10:15] 1 sn Capernaum was a town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, 680 ft (204 m) below sea level. It was a major trade and economic center in the North Galilean region.
[10:15] 2 tn The interrogative particle introducing this question expects a negative reply.
[10:15] 3 sn In the OT, Hades was known as Sheol. It is the place where the unrighteous will reside (Matt 11:23; Luke 16:23; Rev 20:13-14).
[10:16] 4 tn Grk “hears you”; but as the context of vv. 8-9 makes clear, it is response that is the point. In contemporary English, “listen to” is one way to express this function (L&N 31.56).
[10:16] 5 sn Jesus linked himself to the disciples’ message: Responding to the disciples (listens to you) counts as responding to him.
[10:16] 6 tn The double mention of rejection in this clause – ἀθετῶν ἀθετεῖ (aqetwn aqetei) in the Greek text – keeps up the emphasis of the section.
[10:16] 7 sn The one who sent me refers to God.
[10:17] 8 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[10:17] 9 tc See the tc note on the number “seventy-two” in Luke 10:1.
[10:17] 10 tn Or “the demons obey”; see L&N 36.18.
[10:17] 11 tn The prepositional phrase “in your name” indicates the sphere of authority for the messengers’ work of exorcism.
[10:18] 12 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ reply in vv. 18-20 follows from the positive report of the messengers in v. 17.
[10:18] 13 tn This is an imperfect tense verb.
[10:18] 14 tn In Greek, this is a participle and comes at the end of the verse, making it somewhat emphatic.
[10:18] 15 tn This is probably best taken as allusion to Isa 14:12; the phrase in common is ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (ek tou ouranou). These exorcisms in Jesus’ name are a picture of Satan’s greater defeat at Jesus’ hands (D. L. Bock, Luke [BECNT], 2:1006-7).
[10:19] 16 tn Or perhaps, “trample on” (which emphasizes the impact of the feet on the snakes). See L&N 15.226.
[10:19] 17 sn Snakes and scorpions are examples of the hostility in the creation that is defeated by Jesus. The use of battle imagery shows who the kingdom fights against. See Acts 28:3-6.
[10:19] 18 tn Or “I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and [authority] over the full force of the enemy.” The second prepositional phrase can be taken either as modifying the infinitive πατεῖν (patein, “to tread”) or the noun ἐξουσίαν (exousian, “power”). The former is to be preferred and has been represented in the translation.
[10:19] 19 tn This is an emphatic double negative in the Greek text.
[10:20] 20 tn Grk “do not rejoice in this, that.” This is awkward in contemporary English and has been simplified to “do not rejoice that.”
[10:20] 21 tn The verb here is a present imperative, so the call is to an attitude of rejoicing.
[10:20] 22 tn The verb here, a perfect tense, stresses a present reality of that which was a completed action, that is, their names were etched in the heavenly stone, as it were.
[10:21] 23 tn Grk “In that same hour” (L&N 67.1).
[10:21] 24 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:21] 25 sn Jesus rejoiced. The account of the mission in 10:1-24 ends with several remarks about joy.
[10:21] 27 sn The title Lord is an important name for God, showing his sovereignty, but it is interesting that it comes next to a reference to the Father, a term indicative of God’s care. The two concepts are often related in the NT; see Eph 1:3-6.
[10:21] 29 sn See 1 Cor 1:26-31.
[10:21] 30 tn Grk “for (to do) thus was well pleasing before you,” BDAG 325 s.v. ἔμπροσθεν 1.δ; speaking of something taking place “before” God is a reverential way of avoiding direct connection of the action to him.
[10:22] 31 sn This verse has been noted for its conceptual similarity to teaching in John’s Gospel (10:15; 17:2). The authority of the Son and the Father are totally intertwined.
[10:22] 32 tn Or “wishes”; or “intends”; or “plans” (cf. BDAG 182 s.v. βούλομαι 2.b). Here it is the Son who has sovereignty.
[10:23] 33 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[10:23] 34 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:23] 35 tn Grk “turning to the disciples, he said.” The participle στραφείς (strafei") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:23] 36 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
[10:23] 37 sn This beatitude highlights the great honor bestowed on the disciples to share in this salvation, as v. 20 also noted. See also Luke 2:30.
[10:24] 38 sn This is what past prophets and kings had wanted very much to see, yet the fulfillment had come to the disciples. This remark is like 1 Pet 1:10-12 or Heb 1:1-2.
[10:25] 39 tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
[10:25] 40 tn Traditionally, “a lawyer.” This was an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law (see also Luke 7:30, where the same term occurs).
[10:25] 41 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:25] 42 sn The combination of inherit with eternal life asks, in effect, “What must I do to be saved?”
[10:26] 43 tn Grk “How do you read?” The pronoun “it” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
[10:27] 44 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (the expert in religious law, shortened here to “the expert”) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[10:27] 45 tn Grk “You will love.” The future indicative is used here with imperatival force (see ExSyn 452 and 569).
[10:27] 46 sn A quotation from Deut 6:5. The fourfold reference to different parts of the person says, in effect, that one should love God with all one’s being.
[10:27] 47 tn This portion of the reply is a quotation from Lev 19:18. The verb is repeated in the translation for stylistic reasons.
[10:28] 48 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[10:28] 49 sn Jesus commends the reply (you have answered correctly). What is assumed here, given the previous context, is that he will respond to Jesus’ message, as to love God is to respond to his Son; see v. 22.
[10:29] 50 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (the expert in religious law, shortened here to “the expert”) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:30] 52 tn Grk “answering, said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “replied.”
[10:30] 53 sn The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was 17 mi (27 km), descending some 1800 ft (540 m) in altitude. It was known for its danger because the road ran through areas of desert and caves where the robbers hid.
[10:30] 54 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[10:30] 55 map For location see Map5 B2; Map6 E1; Map7 E1; Map8 E3; Map10 A2; Map11 A1.
[10:30] 56 tn Grk “and beat,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
[10:30] 57 sn That is, in a state between life and death; severely wounded.
[10:31] 58 sn The phrase by chance adds an initial note of hope and fortune to the expectation in the story.
[10:31] 59 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context between the priest’s expected action (helping the victim) and what he really did.
[10:31] 60 tn Grk “him”; the referent (the injured man) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:31] 61 sn It is not said why the priest passed by and refused to help. It is not relevant to the point of the parable that no help was given in the emergency situation.
[10:31] 62 sn The text suggests that the priest went out of his way (on the other side) not to get too close to the scene.
[10:32] 63 tn Here κατά (kata) has been translated “up to”; it could also be translated “upon.”
[10:32] 64 tn The clause containing the aorist active participle ἐλθών (elqwn) suggests that the Levite came up to the place, took a look, and then moved on.
[10:33] 65 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context between the previous characters (considered by society to be examples of piety and religious duty) and a hated Samaritan.
[10:33] 66 tn This is at the beginning of the clause, in emphatic position in the Greek text.
[10:33] 67 tn The participle ὁδεύων (Jodeuwn) has been translated as an adjectival participle (cf. NAB, NASB, TEV); it could also be taken temporally (“while he was traveling,” cf. NRSV, NIV).
[10:33] 68 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the injured man) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:33] 69 tn “Him” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The verb means “to feel compassion for,” and the object of the compassion is understood.
[10:34] 70 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Instead, because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[10:34] 71 tn The words “to him” are not in the Greek text but are implied. The participle προσελθών (proselqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:34] 72 sn The ancient practice of pouring oil was designed to comfort and clean the wounds (Isa 1:6).
[10:34] 73 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[10:34] 74 tn It is not clear whether the causative nuance of the verb included actual assistance or not (“helped him on” versus “had him get on”; see L&N 15.98), but in light of the severity of the man’s condition as described in the preceding verses, some degree of assistance was almost certainly needed.
[10:34] 75 sn His own animal refers to a riding animal, presumably a donkey, but not specified.
[10:35] 76 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[10:35] 77 tn Grk “two denarii.”
[10:35] 78 tn Grk “when I come back”; the words “this way” are part of an English idiom used to translate the phrase.
[10:36] 79 sn Jesus reversed the question the expert in religious law asked in v. 29 to one of becoming a neighbor by loving. “Do not think about who they are, but who you are,” was his reply.
[10:37] 80 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (the expert in religious law) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[10:37] 81 sn The neighbor did not do what was required (that is why his response is called mercy) but had compassion and out of kindness went the extra step that shows love. See Mic 6:8. Note how the expert in religious law could not bring himself to admit that the example was a Samaritan, someone who would have been seen as a racial half-breed and one not worthy of respect. So Jesus makes a second point that neighbors may appear in surprising places.
[10:37] 82 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the concluding summary.
[10:37] 83 tn This recalls the verb of the earlier reply in v. 28.
