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The Good Samaritan

Illustration of The Good Samaritan

When a lawyer sought to limit the command to love one's neighbor, Jesus answered with the account of a traveler from Jerusalem to Jericho left half dead by robbers. A priest and a Levite passed by without aid, yet a Samaritan from a people regarded as enemies stopped to bind the man's wounds, carry him to an inn, and pay for his ongoing care. In this way the parable reveals that genuine neighborliness crosses every social and ethnic boundary, expressing love through concrete mercy that reflects the heart of God's redemptive work.

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Luke Overview (Part 2: Ch. 10-24)

Jesus redefines 'neighbor' through the parable of the Good Samaritan.

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Category: Love & Mercy

Meaning: True neighborliness crosses all social and ethnic boundaries - love is shown through action.

Audience: Lawyer

Key Passages

The Parable

Luke 10:30-37

A30nd Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Did You Know?

1

The Samaritan was the only one willing to touch the wounded man. the priest and Levite avoided ritual defilement.

2

Jesus deliberately made the hero a despised outsider, shocking His Jewish audience.

3

The Samaritan not only bandaged the man but paid for his ongoing care at the inn. costly, long-term mercy.

4

Jesus ends with a question that flips the original one: 'Who proved to be a neighbor?' instead of 'Who is my neighbor?'