What Does Luke 10:37 Mean in the King James?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek repeats one verb in “shewed mercy” and “do likewise”: mercy is something enacted.
THE MEANING
The measure of neighborliness is the mercy enacted for the person in need. Jesus’ words address you now with an act as the pattern: mercy is made visible in what is done.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this undoes is that neighborliness belongs only to people already inside your circle; the one who acts with mercy is the neighbor.
THE ROOT
ποιήσας
poiēsas
GROWS FROM
ποιέω
poieō
to do, make, or carry out
The Samaritan is described as “the one who did mercy,” and Jesus answers with the same verb: “do likewise.” English’s “shewed” and “do” look like separate actions, while the Greek repeats ποιέω, making mercy’s enactment the point.
ALSO GROWS
poiēsis: doing, making
ποίησις
This noun names the act itself, echoing the verse’s portrayal of mercy as something performed.
poiētēs: maker, doer
ποιητής
This word names a person through what they do, echoing the Samaritan as the one who did mercy.
THE PATTERN
Mercy becomes visible in actions that meet another person’s need.
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?THE THREAD
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.Matthew uses the same Greek verb, ποιέω, for “have done,” the verb Luke repeats in “shewed mercy” and “do likewise.” Both verses make the act toward a person in need the heart of the encounter.
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