"Jesus said."
The authority of Jesus is central here. As the Son of God, His words carry divine authority. In the Gospels, Jesus often uses direct speech to convey important truths, and His responses are always filled with wisdom and insight. This phrase also emphasizes the personal nature of Jesus' ministry; He engages directly with individuals, addressing their questions and concerns. This interaction is a model of how Jesus fulfills the role of the ultimate Rabbi, teaching with authority and compassion.

"Do this"
Jesus emphasizes action, not just knowledge. The call to "do" reflects the biblical principle that faith without works is dead, as later articulated in James 2:17. The command to "do this" points to the necessity of living out one's faith through love and obedience. This aligns with the teachings of the Old Testament prophets who called for justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). It also prefigures the New Testament emphasis on living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

"and you will live."
This promise of life is both temporal and eternal. In the Jewish context, obedience to God's commandments was associated with blessings and life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Jesus' statement also points to eternal life, a theme that is central to His ministry (John 3:16). The concept of life here is holistic, encompassing spiritual vitality, moral integrity, and eternal salvation. It reflects the biblical narrative of life being found in relationship with God, as seen in the Garden of Eden and fulfilled in the new creation promised in Revelation.

Jesus responds to the expert in the Law with genuine affirmation. The man has just summarized the Law with Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, and Jesus acknowledges that the summary is spot-on.

• This affirmation shows that Scripture itself supplies the right answer to life’s biggest question (Luke 10:26; Psalm 119:105).

• Jesus’ commendation highlights that right doctrine matters (2 Timothy 1:13), echoing His similar approval in Mark 12:34.

• Correct doctrine, however, is never the endpoint; it is the doorway to lived obedience (John 13:17).

The authority behind the statement matters.

• The One speaking is the incarnate Word (John 1:1,14), whose words are life (John 6:63).

• When Jesus speaks, He speaks as the Lord who gave the Law at Sinai (Matthew 5:17-18), so His approval validates the lawyer’s answer beyond dispute.

• His voice carries the weight of final judgment (John 12:48), underscoring the seriousness of the conversation.

Knowing the greatest commandment is not enough; Jesus calls for action.

• Love for God must involve the whole person—heart, soul, strength, and mind—and overflow to neighbor (Micah 6:8; James 2:17).

• Obedience is present-tense and ongoing; “do” implies a lifestyle, not a single act (1 John 3:18).

• Jesus is about to illustrate “neighbor” with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), proving that love crosses social and ethnic boundaries.

A direct promise ties obedience to life.

• Scripture often connects wholehearted obedience with life (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Romans 10:5).

• The life Jesus offers is both qualitative and eternal (John 10:28; 1 John 5:11-12).

• Yet human inability to keep the command perfectly drives us to the gospel: eternal life ultimately comes through faith in Christ, who fulfilled the Law on our behalf (Galatians 3:21-24; Romans 8:3-4).

Luke 10:28 is Jesus’ two-part answer: “You got the doctrine right—now live it out, and real life will follow.” He affirms the scriptural summary of the Law, speaks with divine authority, commands active love, and promises life. The verse invites us to turn correct knowledge into wholehearted, practical devotion to God and sacrificial love toward people, resting in the Savior who makes true obedience and eternal life possible.