Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
The Lawyer's Question & Jesus' Response
Luke 10:25-28 (NKJV) "And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
The lawyer's initial question was about inheriting eternal life. Jesus directed him back to the law, which the lawyer correctly summarized as loving God and loving his neighbor.
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
This question, designed to avoid the sacrificial aspect of love, prompted Jesus to tell a story.
The Characters in the Parable
The Wounded Man
A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves, was stripped, wounded, and left half dead.
The Priest and the Levite
31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite (a religious worker connected to the temple), when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
These religious figures, whom one would expect to help, chose to pass by. Their reasons could have included fear of robbery, being in a hurry, or simply not wanting to get involved. Jesus' point is not their reasoning, but their inaction.
Jesus includes these first two for the shock factor. It challenges those who are religious but may lack true love and compassion.
The Samaritan
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
The Samaritan, a race hated by the Jews, was the one who showed mercy. Jesus purposefully made the 'good' character an enemy of His audience to drive home a powerful point.
The Samaritan saw past race, religion, and his own wounds. He saw VALUE in another human being and had COMPASSION.
Compassion in Action
The Samaritan didn’t hesitate; he showed compassion through his actions:
- Compassion Takes Risks: He made himself vulnerable to getting hurt too.
- Compassion Takes Time:
34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
He bandaged wounds, used his own supplies (oil and wine), and even gave up his own ride. - Compassion Is Inconvenient: It slowed his trip down and required his goods.
35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
He paid for the man's extended care, offering to pay more if needed – going "above and beyond" for a stranger.
The Good Samaritan got involved with someone he didn’t even know. He took the time, got messy, and paid the price.
The True Meaning: Who is "The Neighbor"?
36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Jesus flipped the lawyer's original question. It's not about "Who is my neighbor?" (which groups do I have to love?), but "Who is the neighbor?" (who acts as a neighbor?).
The neighbor is any person who is willing to show others mercy.
The parable is not just about expanding the definition of "neighbor" or being a "social justice warrior." It's about a deeper truth related to eternal life.
The Ultimate Point: Salvation
The whole question that prompted the teaching was rooted in a question about eternal life.
The parable highlights the greatness of the law's measure (perfect love for God and neighbor) and our inability to fulfill it.
You want eternal life? God requires perfection: love Him perfectly and love others as you love yourself. You don't do that. You can't do that. You need mercy. You need Jesus.
