Luke 10:25-28 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And, behold, a certain lawyer— If the connection with which St. Luke introduces the subsequent transaction implies that it happened immediately after what goes before in the history, it took its rise in the followingmanner: A doctor of the law, who it seems made one of the multitude which attended Jesus when the seventy returned, having listened to what he said to his disciples in private, concerning their enjoyment of a happiness which many prophets and kings had desired in vain to obtain,—(namelythatofseeinghismiracles,andof hearing his sermons,) thought that he would make trial of that great wisdom which he said he possessed, by proposing to him one of the most important questions which it is possible for thehuman mind to examine, namely, what a man must do to inherit eternal life? For, that he asks the question, not from a sincere desire to know his duty, but merely to try our Lords knowledge, is evidentfrom the text. And further, he had probably an insidious design to ensnare him; for the question having been decided by the Jewish doctors, if Christ had answered differently, he might have been accused of heresy. Jesus, alluding to the scribes' profession, made answer, by inquiring of him what the law taught on that point? And perhaps when our Lord says, how readest thou? he alludes to the daily service of the Jews, as appears more probable from the reply which the scribe makes; the words thou shalt love the Lord thy God, &c. being then, and continuing still, to be daily read in the morning service of the synagogues; though it is remarkable, that the last clause, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, is omitted by them. But see on Matthew 22:35-40.