Luke chapter 10 is a multifaceted narrative that illustrates Jesus’ commitment to spreading the message of the Kingdom and demonstrates the proper attitude for his followers as they engage in ministry. The chapter can be divided into two major sections. First, Jesus sends out a group of his followers to proclaim the good news and heal the sick, and second, he teaches through the parable of the Good Samaritan, providing a model for compassionate neighborly love.
In the first section, Jesus appoints and sends out seventy-two others in pairs. He instructs them to go ahead into every town and place where he himself is about to go. The instructions are precise and practical: the disciples are to carry no extra provisions, no money bag, no extra tunic. They are to accept hospitality, staying in whoever’s home welcomes them, and when they leave a town they are to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against those who reject their message. Jesus emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is near, and the disciples are to proclaim this message, heal the sick, and cast out demons as they travel. He tells them that they are like laborers sent out into the harvest, urging them to work diligently and without fear, because the power they carry in his name will bring healing and deliverance.
As the seventy-two return, they report with joy that even demons submit to them in Jesus’ name. Their success in ministry fills them with gladness and reinforces the divine authority vested in Jesus and, by extension, in his followers. Jesus, in turn, rejoices in the Father’s revelation to the humble and simple rather than to the wise and learned. He commends the fact that God’s truth is made known to those with childlike faith, underscoring that openness and humility are essential for receiving the Kingdom’s blessings. This teaching sets a tone that contrasts worldly wisdom with divine revelation and encourages believers to remain receptive to God’s work regardless of their social status or intellectual pretensions.
Following these instructions and reports, the narrative shifts to a discussion about the nature of eternal life. A lawyer stands up to test Jesus by asking what must be done to inherit eternal life. In response, Jesus turns the question back on him, asking what is written in the Law. The lawyer answers by quoting the commandment to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus affirms that the answer is correct and tells the lawyer to do this and live. Not content with the answer alone, the lawyer then asks, “And who is my neighbor?” This question sets the stage for one of the most famous parables in the Bible.
Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate the meaning of “neighbor.” In the parable, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers, who strip him, beat him, and leave him half dead on the side of the road. A priest happens to be going down the same road, but when he sees the wounded man, he passes by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, another respected member of the religious community, sees the injured man but also passes by without offering assistance. In stark contrast, a Samaritan—someone considered an outsider and even an enemy by many Jews—comes upon the man. Moved by compassion, the Samaritan goes to the injured man, binds his wounds with oil and wine, and places him on his own animal to take him to an inn for care. He then gives the innkeeper money and instructs him to take care of the man, promising to return and repay any additional expenses.
After telling the parable, Jesus asks the lawyer which of the three was a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers. The lawyer replies that the one who showed mercy was the neighbor. Jesus then commands, “Go and do likewise.” This teaching transforms the traditional understanding of neighborliness. Rather than being limited by ethnic, religious, or social boundaries, being a neighbor is defined by acts of compassion and mercy. The parable challenges all listeners to extend kindness and help to those in need, regardless of their background.
Luke chapter 10, therefore, encapsulates a dual emphasis on missionary work and ethical conduct. The sending out of the seventy-two highlights the urgency and simplicity of the disciples’ mission: to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand and to act as agents of healing and deliverance. Their instructions remind them to trust in God’s provision and to remain focused on their divine purpose. At the same time, the parable of the Good Samaritan redefines what it means to be a neighbor by linking love for one’s fellow human being with the practice of mercy. This message disrupts social prejudices and calls for a radical reorientation of the heart, where acts of kindness become the primary measure of one’s commitment to God’s commandments.
In combining these narratives, Luke chapter 10 presents a holistic view of discipleship. It teaches that the Kingdom of God is not only proclaimed through the spoken word but also through concrete actions that relieve suffering and promote justice. The chapter invites believers to be both messengers and doers of God’s love, to trust that God will provide as they serve, and to expand the definition of community beyond conventional boundaries. Through the powerful example of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows that neighborly love is the essence of the gospel message, a call to break down barriers and to actively care for those who are vulnerable. This, in essence, is the heart of Luke’s presentation of Jesus’ ministry—a ministry that brings hope, healing, and the invitation to participate in the transformative work of God’s kingdom.