THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE - Chapter 10 - Verse 29
Verse 29. To justify himself. Desirous 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 desirous of showing that he had kept the law;
or perhaps he was desirous of justifying himself for asking the
question; of showing that it could not be so easily settled; that a
mere reference to the words of the law did not determine it. It was
still a question what was meant by neighbour. 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
desirous of justifying 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.
{f} "justify" Job 32:2; Lu 16:15; Ro 4:2; Ga 3:11; Jas 2:24
{g} "neighbour" Mt 5:43,44
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