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LUKE 10:36 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 10:35Luke 10:37
“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?”
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? — the question reverses the lawyer's original question: who is my neighbor (which people must I love?) becomes which of these three was a neighbor (how do you become a neighbor?). The question reframes the entire issue: the neighbor is not a category of people you must include but a way of being — the one who shows mercy.

Church Fathers on Luke 10:36

The lawyer, when praised by our Savior for having answered right, breaks forth into pride, thinking that he had no neighbor, as though there was no one to be compared to him in righteousness. Hence it is said, But he willing to justify himself said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? For somehow first one sin and then another takes him captive. From the cunning with which he sought to tempt Christ, he falls into pride. But here when asking, who is my neighbor, he proves himself…

Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

He answered that he knew not his neighbor, because he believed not on Christ, and he who knows not Christ knows not the law, for being ignorant of the truth, how can he know the law which makes known the truth?

Ambrose · 4th century

Now our Savior defines a neighbor not in respect of actions or honor, but of nature; as if He says, Think not that because you are righteous you have no neighbor, for all who partake of the same nature are your neighbors. Be you also their neighbor, not in place, but in affection and solicitude for them. And in addition to this, he brings forward the Samaritan as an example. As it follows, And Jesus answering him said, A certain man went down, &c.

Theophylact · 11th century
Read all 51 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Luke 10:36 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy