Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 10:29

"But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?" — Luke 10:29 (ASV)

To justify himself. He was desiring to appear blameless, or to vindicate himself, and show that he had kept the law.

Jesus wished to lead him to a proper view of his own sinfulness and his real departure from the law.

The man was desiring to show that he had kept the law. Or perhaps he was desiring to justify himself for asking the question, wanting to show that it could not be so easily settled and that a mere reference to the words of the law did not determine it.

It was still a question what was meant by neighbour (Matthew 5:43–44). The Pharisees held that the Jews only were to be regarded as such, and that the obligation did not extend at all to the Gentiles.

The lawyer was probably ready to affirm that he had discharged faithfully his duty to his countrymen, and had thus kept the law, and could justify himself.

Every sinner is desiring to justify himself. He seeks to do it by his own works. For this purpose, he perverts the meaning of the law, destroys its spirituality, and brings down the law to his standard, rather than attempt to frame his life by its requirements.