Luke 10 27

Luke 10:27 kjv

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:27 nkjv

So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "

Luke 10:27 niv

He answered, "?'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Luke 10:27 esv

And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:27 nlt

The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Luke 10 verses

Luke 10 27 Meaning

Luke 10:27 encapsulates the essence of biblical law and human duty by combining two foundational commands from the Old Testament: to love God with absolute, holistic devotion and to love one's neighbor as oneself. This dual command defines true righteousness, establishing both vertical relationship with the Divine and horizontal conduct among humanity as indispensable aspects of inheriting eternal life. It represents the heart of God's expectations for humanity, summarized by an expert in the Law and affirmed by Jesus as the sum of all legal and prophetic teachings.

Luke 10 27 Context

Luke 10:27 is part of a direct exchange between Jesus and an "expert in the Law" (νομοδιδάσκαλος – nomodidaskalos), a specialist in Jewish law, who approaches Jesus to "test" him. The lawyer's initial question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Lk 10:25), sets the stage for a discussion on righteousness and the path to salvation. Jesus, rather than giving a direct answer, deflects the question back to the lawyer, asking him what is written in the Law and how he interprets it (Lk 10:26). The lawyer's response in Luke 10:27 is a brilliant summary, demonstrating his theological astuteness by seamlessly combining the primary command from Deuteronomy 6:5 (the Shema, a core declaration of Jewish faith recited daily) and Leviticus 19:18. Jesus commends this accurate answer ("You have answered correctly," Lk 10:28), affirming these two commands as the core of the Law. This immediately leads to the lawyer's follow-up question, "And who is my neighbor?" which prompts Jesus to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37), profoundly illustrating the practical implications and radical scope of neighborly love, extending it beyond expected boundaries.

Luke 10 27 Word analysis

• He answered: Implies the expert in the Law is the speaker, showing his knowledge of the Torah. This isn't Jesus's answer to himself, but his validation of the lawyer's correct understanding of the Law.

• Love (Greek: ἀγαπάω - agapaō): This term signifies a selfless, unconditional, volitional love that wills the good of another, distinct from other Greek words for love (like philia for brotherly affection or eros for passionate desire). It is not primarily an emotion, but a choice and action, aligning with the divine love of God himself.

• the Lord your God (Greek: κύριος ὁ θεός σου - Kyrios ho theos sou): Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. "Your God" emphasizes a personal and relational covenant. The command implies singular allegiance and worship to the one true God, explicitly against polytheism prevalent in the ancient world and any idols that might compete for ultimate devotion.

• with all your heart (Greek: ὅλης καρδίας σου - holēs kardias sou): The "heart" (καρδία - kardia) in biblical thought is the very core of a person—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. "All" (ὅλης - holēs) signifies total commitment, encompassing one's thoughts, feelings, intentions, and decisions without reservation.

• and with all your soul (Greek: ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου - holē tē psychē sou): The "soul" (ψυχή - psychē) refers to one's life force, essence, and individuality; one's animating breath and being. Loving with all one's soul means to consecrate every aspect of one's existence and vitality, even to the point of sacrificing one's life.

• and with all your strength (Greek: ὅλῃ τῇ ἰσχύϊ σου - holē tē ischyï sou): "Strength" (ἰσχύς - ischys) denotes one's physical power, energy, resources, and might. It implies that one's abilities, efforts, and physical capabilities should be wholly dedicated to God's service and glory. This extends to tangible acts of obedience and worship.

• and with all your mind (Greek: ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου - holē tē dianoia sou): "Mind" (διάνοια - dianoia) specifically refers to one's intellect, understanding, reasoning, and thought processes. This aspect, notably added to the Septuagint's rendition of Deuteronomy 6:5 by the New Testament writers, emphasizes that loving God is not an irrational or purely emotional exercise, but involves conscious thought, understanding of His Word, and applying wisdom. It suggests an intellectual pursuit of knowing God and aligning one's thoughts with His.

• Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind: This first part represents the vertical dimension of love – devotion directed upward toward God. The repetition of "all" underscores the absolute, total, and uncompromising nature of this love, encompassing every faculty of a person's being: their inner core, life essence, physical and moral power, and intellect. It’s a call for single-minded, undivided worship. This multifaceted description aims to capture a holistic human response, ensuring no part of one’s self is withheld from God. It points to a deep, intimate, and intelligent relationship, not just an outward ritual.

• and your neighbor as yourself (Greek: τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν - ton plēsion sou hōs seauton):

  • your neighbor (πλησίον - plēsion): Literally "one who is near." In a broad sense, this extends beyond ethnic, religious, or social affiliations to encompass anyone with whom one interacts, especially those in need, as shown in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37). It challenged narrow Jewish interpretations of who qualified as a "neighbor."
  • as yourself (ὡς σεαυτόν - hōs seauton): This phrase implies a healthy, not selfish, self-regard. It means to treat others with the same care, dignity, respect, and desire for well-being that one naturally desires for oneself. It sets a personal standard: the measure of concern for self becomes the measure of concern for others. This second part is the horizontal dimension of love – directed outward toward fellow humanity. This dual command emphasizes that true piety must manifest in ethical conduct towards others; one cannot claim to love God while neglecting or harming one's neighbor.

Luke 10 27 Bonus Section

The phrase "with all your mind" (ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου - holē tē dianoia sou) is notably present in Luke's and Matthew's versions of this quote (Mt 22:37) and also Mark 12:30, but it is not explicitly found in the original Hebrew (or even the Greek Septuagint) of Deuteronomy 6:5, which primarily mentions heart, soul, and might. The addition of "mind" highlights the crucial intellectual dimension of loving God. It suggests that faith is not blind or irrational, but engages the full capacity of human reasoning, understanding, and conscious thought. Loving God requires knowing Him through His revelation, comprehending His commands, meditating on His truths, and aligning our intellect with His wisdom. This nuance counters any Gnostic tendencies to dismiss the physical or intellectual, emphasizing a holistic approach where belief must be informed, reasoned, and purposeful. It underscores that God intends us to understand Him as fully as possible. This also served as a subtle but significant distinction, perhaps reflecting a deeper philosophical or theological understanding that emerged by the time of the New Testament writers, further emphasizing the depth of divine relationship.

Luke 10 27 Commentary

Luke 10:27 presents the foundational truth that genuine spiritual life is defined by radical, total love for God, intricately linked with a profound, practical love for humanity. The lawyer's brilliant summary, affirmed by Jesus, cuts through all the intricate Mosaic laws, rituals, and traditions to highlight the two core principles upon which everything else "hangs." Loving God "with all" your heart, soul, strength, and mind means an entire person—emotion, vitality, effort, and intellect—is fully consecrated. This holistic devotion leaves no part of self untouched or uncommitted. It demands not just intellectual assent or emotional warmth, but active, enduring, and discerning allegiance that permeates every facet of one's existence.

Crucially, this supreme vertical love for God is inextricably tied to horizontal love for "your neighbor as yourself." One cannot exist authentically without the other. Love for God is demonstrated and validated by love for fellow human beings. This commandment transcends mere affection; it is a principle of willing the good of others, treating them with the same inherent value and kindness one desires for oneself. This doesn't mean we must like everyone's personality, but we must choose to act in their best interest, extending compassion and aid irrespective of their background, status, or our personal feelings toward them. This definition of neighbor was expanded dramatically by Jesus in the ensuing parable of the Good Samaritan, signifying that neighborly love is a universal call, embracing even enemies or strangers. Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful synopsis of God's character and His desire for humanity's relationships—with Him and with each other. It encapsulates the Spirit of the Law, moving beyond mere adherence to rules toward a heart-centered posture of self-giving love.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • Love for God: Dedicate time each day to prayer and Scripture study (mind/heart), use your physical talents and resources to serve Him (strength), and pursue His will above your own desires (soul).
  • Love for Neighbor: Volunteering for a local charity (strength), listening empathetically to a friend in crisis (heart/mind), forgiving someone who wronged you (soul), or actively working for justice and mercy in your community (all).