10:25 Now 1 an expert in religious law 2 stood up to test Jesus, 3 saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 4
1 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).
2 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).
3 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 sn The combination of inherit with eternal life asks, in effect, “What must I do to be saved?”
5 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.
6 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.
7 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the concluding summary.
8 tn This recalls the verb of the earlier reply in v. 28.