Why did the lawyer attempt to "
justify himself" after he heard the Lord Jesus' answer to his opening question, "
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life"
(see v29 in the passage below)
Luke 10
25 A lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?”
27 And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”
29 Wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”