Luke 10 34

Luke 10:34 kjv

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Luke 10:34 nkjv

So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Luke 10:34 niv

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Luke 10:34 esv

He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Luke 10:34 nlt

Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.

Luke 10 verses

Luke 10 34 Meaning

Luke 10:34 depicts the practical and profound compassion shown by the Samaritan toward the man beaten and robbed on the road. The verse illustrates acts of immediate medical attention, personal sacrifice, and diligent follow-through, encompassing binding wounds, applying ancient remedies (oil and wine), transporting the injured man on his own animal, and securing ongoing care at an inn. It represents a concrete example of selfless love for one's neighbor, challenging prevailing societal and religious norms.

Luke 10 34 Context

Luke 10:34 is a central verse within the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This parable is told by Jesus in response to a legal expert's questions about inheriting eternal life and, more specifically, "who is my neighbor?" The expert's questions reflect a desire to justify himself and to define the boundaries of his obligation. Immediately preceding verse 34, a priest and a Levite, both figures expected to show compassion due to their religious roles, deliberately bypass the injured man. The context highlights their inaction in stark contrast to the Samaritan's comprehensive aid. Historically and culturally, Samaritans were despised by Jews, making the Samaritan's exemplary conduct a shocking and subversive detail that challenges Jewish assumptions about who truly fulfills God's law. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was known for its rugged terrain and dangers, often frequented by brigands.

Luke 10 34 Word analysis

• and went to him: Greek: kai proselthōn auto (καὶ προσελθὼν αὐτῷ). This signifies immediate and decisive action. Unlike the priest and Levite who "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32), the Samaritan actively approached the man, overcoming any hesitation or potential danger. It denotes purposeful movement toward the one in need.
• and bound up his wounds: Greek: edēsen ta traumata autou (ἔδησεν τὰ τραύματα αὐτοῦ). Edēsen implies carefully wrapping or dressing the wounds, not just a superficial cover. Traumata refers to deep, possibly jagged cuts, severe injuries. This was practical, hands-on, and intimate medical care, requiring direct physical contact with someone potentially dirty and bloody. This act reflects a readiness to minister to physical suffering directly.
• pouring on oil and wine: Greek: epicheōn elaion kai oinon (ἐπιχέων ἔλαιον καὶ οἶνον). These were common and effective ancient remedies. Oil (elaion) was used for its soothing, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties, often to soften the wound or reduce pain. Wine (oinon) was used as an antiseptic and cleansing agent due to its alcohol content. This shows knowledge and intention to provide effective care, not just symbolic comfort. It also implies that the Samaritan carried these provisions for his own travel, making them a personal sacrifice.
• and he set him on his own animal: Greek: kai epibibasas auton epi to idion ktēnos (καὶ ἐπιβιβάσας αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον κτῆνος). Epibibasas means to cause to mount or to set upon. Idion ktēnos means "his own animal" or "his own beast (of burden)". This action speaks volumes of sacrifice. The Samaritan forfeited his own mode of transport, comfort, and perhaps speed of journey. He humbled himself by walking alongside while the injured man rode, taking on a burden for the other's benefit.
• and brought him to an inn: Greek: kai ēgagen auton eis pandocheion (καὶ ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς πανδοχεῖον). A pandocheion was a public house or hostelry, a place providing lodging for travelers and their animals. It was not a private dwelling, but a place where one could receive lodging and some level of care for a fee. This indicates the Samaritan recognized the need for sustained care beyond what he could personally provide on the road. It shows forethought and commitment to long-term welfare.
• and took care of him: Greek: kai epimelēthē autou (καὶ ἐπεμελήthē αὐτοῦ). Epimelēthē signifies to care for, attend to, or give diligent attention. This goes beyond merely dropping him off. It implies the Samaritan stayed with the man, ensuring he was settled, that his needs were met, and possibly even nursing him overnight before departing the next day, demonstrating a personal investment in his recovery.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine": This sequence demonstrates proactive and immediate practical first aid. It signifies not merely sympathy but active intervention that requires getting personally involved, even with someone potentially dangerous or unclean according to societal norms. It's a progression from identification of need to intelligent and hands-on treatment.
• "he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn": These actions represent self-sacrifice and relocation for the sake of the injured man's ongoing well-being. The Samaritan gives up his own convenience and means of transport, effectively trading places with the man, ensuring he reaches a place where more extended care is possible. It highlights the principle of carrying another's burden.
• "and took care of him": This final phrase emphasizes diligence and continued concern. It’s not a one-off act of charity but sustained commitment to the person's welfare, demonstrating a deep level of compassion that extends beyond initial rescue to comprehensive care and planning for recovery. This sets up the follow-up actions described in the subsequent verse, showcasing holistic, responsible love.

Luke 10 34 Bonus section

The deliberate choice of a Samaritan for this exemplary act was highly provocative to Jesus' Jewish audience. Samaritans were ethnically and religiously estranged from the Jews, making their positive portrayal a direct challenge to deeply ingrained prejudices. The Samaritan’s actions, including sharing his own supplies and giving up his transport, are marked by hospitality and a profound sense of hesed (lovingkindness) that the Jewish religious leaders conspicuously lacked. This verse, and indeed the entire parable, underscores that true righteousness and love for God are demonstrated not by ritual adherence or social standing, but by active compassion and tangible service to suffering humanity. The scene on the Jericho road thus becomes a litmus test for genuine faith, revealed through practical love that bridges societal divides and disregards personal cost.

Luke 10 34 Commentary

Luke 10:34 encapsulates the essence of true neighborly love that Jesus commends. It portrays the Samaritan not as someone bound by religious or societal expectation to act, but as one driven purely by mercy. His actions are thorough and comprehensive: he approaches, applies first aid using readily available and effective ancient remedies (oil as soothing, wine as antiseptic), personally bears the burden of transporting the wounded man, and ensures his continuous care by bringing him to an inn. Each step involves personal inconvenience, cost, and active engagement, standing in stark contrast to the detached indifference of the priest and the Levite. This verse is a powerful ethical lesson that defines "neighbor" by one's compassionate action, not by shared identity or religious affiliation, thereby reorienting the legal expert's self-justifying query into a call for active, sacrificial love towards any person in need, regardless of their background or status.