Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 10:27

"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." — Luke 10:27 (ASV)

The expert on the law answers Jesus’ question by quoting a commandment (cf. Matthew 22:37–40). The answer is satisfactory so far as it goes, for it is based on the OT (Leviticus 19:18). The words “as yourself” will provide the crucial means of evaluating one’s love of neighbor. The ultimate evaluation will have to be based on deeds, not words, as the parable shows.