A certain lawyer - One who professed to be well skilled in the laws of Moses, and whose business it was to explain them.
Stood up - Rose - came forward to address him.
Tempted him - Feigned a desire to be instructed, but did it to perplex him, or to lead him, if possible, to contradict some of the maxims of the law.
Inherit eternal life - Be saved. This was the common inquiry among the Jews. "They" had said that man must keep the commandments - the written and oral law.

A certain lawyer - See on Matthew 22:35 (note).

(8) And, behold, (i) a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
(8) Faith does not take away but establishes the doctrine of the law.
(i) One of those who proclaimed himself to be learned in the rites and laws of Moses.

And behold a certain lawyer stood up,.... From his seat, having been hearing Christ preach, very likely, in some synagogue; when and where this was, is not certain. The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions call this man a Scribe; and a lawyer and a Scribe were the same, as appears from Matthew 22:35 compared with Mark 12:28
and tempted him; or tried him whether he understood the law, or whether he would say any thing contrary to it, and see if he could gain any advantage against him, and expose him, and get credit and applause to himself:
saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? the same question as was put by the young ruler in Mark 10:17 for they were both of the same complexion, and upon the same foundation, seeking eternal life by their own works: See Gill on Matthew 19:16.
he said unto him; that is, Jesus, as all the Oriental versions express it.

If we speak of eternal life, and the way to it, in a careless manner, we take the name of God in vain. No one will ever love God and his neighbour with any measure of pure, spiritual love, who is not made a partaker of converting grace. But the proud heart of man strives hard against these convictions. Christ gave an instance of a poor Jew in distress, relieved by a good Samaritan. This poor man fell among thieves, who left him about to die of his wounds. He was slighted by those who should have been his friends, and was cared for by a stranger, a Samaritan, of the nation which the Jews most despised and detested, and would have no dealings with. It is lamentable to observe how selfishness governs all ranks; how many excuses men will make to avoid trouble or expense in relieving others. But the true Christian has the law of love written in his heart. The Spirit of Christ dwells in him; Christ's image is renewed in his soul. The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbour as ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other distinction. It also sets forth the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward sinful, miserable men. We were like this poor, distressed traveller. Satan, our enemy, has robbed us, and wounded us: such is the mischief sin has done us. The blessed Jesus had compassion on us. The believer considers that Jesus loved him, and gave his life for him, when an enemy and a rebel; and having shown him mercy, he bids him go and do likewise. It is the duty of us all, in our places, and according to our ability, to succour, help, and relieve all that are in distress and necessity.

QUESTION OF A LAWYER AND PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN. (Luke 10:25-37)
tempted him--"tested him"; in no hostile spirit, yet with no tender anxiety for light on that question of questions, but just to see what insight this great Galilean teacher had.

The parable of the Good Samaritan, as well as that of the Prodigal Son and Lazarus and Dives, are given only by Luke.
A certain lawyer. One versed in the Jewish law, a theologian, a scribe, and possibly a rabbi.
Tempted him. Put him to trial.
What shall I do to inherit eternal life? He probably had noted that Jesus was calling sinners to repentance, but he fancied that he belonged to another class, and hence asks, What shall I do?
What is written? The Lord calls on the lawyer to state his own understanding of the law.
Thou shalt love the Lord. The lawyer answered well and gave the sum of the whole law. See Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18.
This do and thou shalt live. He who fulfills the great law of love is born again. There is no inconsistency. We repent and live, believe and live, obey and live, and love and live. For these are all co-related. One cannot exist without the others. We cannot love God unless we believe and repent. "He that loves me will keep my words" (John 14:23).
Willing to justify himself. Evidently conscious that he did not keep the law of love.
Who is my neighbour? The Lord answers by a parable.

Matthew 22:35; Mark 12:28.