Καὶ ἰδοὺ νομικός τις ἀνέστη ἐκπειράζων αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων· Διδάσκαλε, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; (Luke 10:25)
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, testing him and saying, “Teacher, what having done shall I inherit eternal life?”
Luke 10:25 introduces one of Jesus’ most famous dialogues—the conversation that leads to the parable of the Good Samaritan. Yet before the story unfolds, Luke sets the stage with a single, densely packed sentence. The grammar captures tension, irony, and sincerity in one frame. A legal expert (“lawyer”) rises to test Jesus, but his question becomes the doorway to a deeper revelation about eternal life. Every grammatical element contributes to the drama: the participles, the direct speech, and the question’s syntax all reveal character and motive.
The Dramatic Introduction: Καὶ ἰδού
The interjection ἰδού (“behold”) functions as Luke’s literary spotlight. It signals a moment of narrative significance—something noteworthy or unexpected. Combined with Καὶ (“and”), it forms the familiar Lukan formula Καὶ ἰδού, often used to introduce new scenes or turning points. Grammatically, this exclamatory particle does not alter the syntax but heightens attention, inviting readers to observe what follows with reverence and curiosity.
The Subject and His Motive: νομικός τις ἀνέστη ἐκπειράζων αὐτόν
The noun νομικός (“lawyer,” literally “expert in the Law”) identifies a professional interpreter of the Mosaic Torah. The indefinite pronoun τις (“a certain one”) individualizes him without naming him, focusing on his type rather than his identity. The main verb ἀνέστη (aorist active indicative of ἀνίστημι, “he stood up”) suggests deliberate action—he rises, perhaps in a public setting, to confront or challenge Jesus.
The participle ἐκπειράζων (present active participle of ἐκπειράζω, “to test thoroughly, to tempt”) reveals motive. Its present tense conveys contemporaneous action: “as he was standing, he was testing him.” The prepositional phrase αὐτόν (“him”) specifies Jesus as the object of the test. Grammatically, the participle is circumstantial, expressing the purpose and attitude accompanying the main verb: he stood up in order to test Jesus. Luke’s word choice suggests more than intellectual curiosity—it implies subtle hostility masked by decorum.
The Speech Act: καὶ λέγων
The participle λέγων (present active participle of λέγω) introduces direct discourse. It is coordinate with ἐκπειράζων, providing a narrative link between action and speech: “testing him and saying.” The participle sequence portrays fluid motion—standing, testing, and speaking—depicting a rhetorical performance rather than a spontaneous question.
Respectful Address with Hidden Intent: Διδάσκαλε
The vocative Διδάσκαλε (“Teacher”) expresses formal respect. However, Luke’s narrative context and the participle ἐκπειράζων reveal that this address may be polite but insincere. Grammatically, the vocative isolates the title, lending it emphasis, but semantically it drips with irony: he acknowledges Jesus’ authority even as he seeks to undermine it.
The Question of Eternal Life: τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω;
The question begins with τί (“what”), introducing a direct question of action and consequence. The participle ποιήσας (aorist active participle of ποιέω, “to do”) is adverbial, modifying the main verb κληρονομήσω (“shall I inherit”). The participle’s aorist aspect implies a single, decisive act: “What must I do once for all to inherit eternal life?”
The direct object ζωὴν αἰώνιον (“eternal life”) follows, with the adjective αἰώνιον (“eternal”) modifying the noun ζωήν (“life”). The verb κληρονομήσω (aorist active subjunctive or future indicative of κληρονομέω, “to inherit”) employs legal language, fitting the lawyer’s profession. Inheritance here is metaphorical, referring to entrance into the life of the age to come. The syntax conveys a calculated legal question framed in theological terms: “What action fulfills the requirement for eternal inheritance?”
Syntax Table: The Grammar of a Questioning Heart
| Greek Phrase | Grammar Role | Interpretive Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Καὶ ἰδού | Exclamatory particle | Marks a narrative shift and calls attention to a key event |
| νομικός τις ἀνέστη | Noun + indefinite pronoun + aorist verb | Identifies an expert in the Law initiating formal dialogue |
| ἐκπειράζων αὐτὸν | Circumstantial participle | Reveals motive—testing rather than honest inquiry |
| καὶ λέγων | Coordinated participle | Connects action to speech; the test becomes verbal |
| Διδάσκαλε | Vocative noun | Respectful yet possibly ironic address to Jesus |
| τί ποιήσας… κληρονομήσω; | Aorist participle + interrogative + main verb | Asks what deed secures eternal inheritance |
Grammar as Mirror of Motivation
The syntax of Luke 10:25 reflects the duality of the human heart. The participle ἐκπειράζων reveals hidden motives, the vocative Διδάσκαλε masks intention under politeness, and the legalistic precision of τί ποιήσας… κληρονομήσω exposes the man’s framework of merit. Grammar here is theology in motion: outward structure conceals inner motive.
Yet this verse also introduces one of the gospel’s most enduring themes—eternal life as inheritance, not achievement. The participle ποιήσας becomes the pivot of Jesus’ later teaching that eternal life cannot be earned by an act but received by mercy and love. The lawyer’s question, framed in perfect Greek grammar, reveals imperfect understanding. Jesus’ forthcoming answer will turn the logic of the question inside out: to “inherit” life is to love one’s neighbor, not to prove one’s righteousness.
Thus, Luke 10:25 is more than an introduction to a parable. It is a grammatical portrait of the human condition—our tendency to test divine truth while seeking eternal life on our own terms. Through precise syntax and subtle tension, Luke captures the heart of the gospel’s confrontation between human law and divine grace.
