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Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27He 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.” 28And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Background: The story of the Good Samaritan is only found in the gospel of Luke. It is set in the context of a conversation between Jesus and a powerful professional theologian who is openly challenging Jesus as an uncredentialed provincial rabbi. During that challenge Jesus recognizes that the learned man knew the letter of the law, but had failed to grasp its deep meaning. To help him see the truth Jesus tells the story of a wounded man and three responses to his need. In this story Jesus shatters the customary categories of who is and who is not one of God’s people and gives us a picture of what being a neighbor means.
Samaritans is Jesus’ Day: Faithful Jews universally despised Samaritans in Jesus’ day. They were the mixed race descendants of the people who occupied the Promised Land after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE. They considered themselves to be the true remnant of the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel. The Jews believed that they were filthy mixed race heretics. The Samaritans differed theologically and in worship style and place. They were considered Israel’s archenemies. Contact with them was unthinkable and they would never be allowed to worship with faithful Jews. Actually, faithful Jews believed that even God hated and condemned them. To understand this antipathy in our day perhaps we might, in some circles, substitute Muslims or maybe transgender persons or our political opponents for Samaritans. It’s not quite that simple but that may give you a sense of the emotions involved in this story.

Word Study
Vs. 25 – lawyer – this was a professional expert in Mosaic Law.
Test – this word is an explicit challenge to Jesus’ authority. This man is trying not just to trick Jesus or to see what he knows. He is trying to discredit him.
Inherit – the reward promised by God to the covenant people.
Eternal – means ‘unlimited’
Life – Greek word: Zoe. Refers to the deep and eternal life principle itself.
Vs. 26 – What do you read there – Literally “How do you read it?” Jesus recognizes that the man knows the answer to his question already. It is in the Law itself. So Jesus is asking him how he understands what he has read.
Vs. 27 – the man quotes a paraphrase of Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18.
Heart – the inner most being where one’s will resides
Soul – a person’s individuality and personality, what makes one unique.
Strength – energy, might, resources
Mind – this does not appear in the Hebrew texts. It refers to ones intellectual capacities.
Neighbor – this word for neighbor comes from the root ‘nearness’
Vs 28 – Jesus agrees with the man’s answer and sizes up his problem immediately. The man knows the right answers but does not live what he knows. Jesus tells him to do what he knows to be true.
Vs. 29 – justify – the man is feeling defensive and wants to justify his own behavioral choices by limiting who is entitled to his care and concern.
Vs. 30 – a man – there are no identifying characteristics given. Was he a Jew? Was he a Gentile? It doesn’t matter. He was everyman.
Jerusalem to Jericho – this was a long and dangerous road that dropped 3300’ in altitude in 17 miles. There were many sharp turns and crevices in which bandits often hid, attacked and robbed travelers. He represented the focus of every prejudice.
Stripped him – this detail is important as it removes any indication of his identity or status.
Vs. 31 – now by chance – this phrase indicates a hopeful action
Priest – a high temple official who was in charge of sacrifices and more.
Passed by on the other side – No reason is given for this. Some have speculated that he did not want to be contaminated by a bloody or dead person. This seems unlikely as a priest who came upon a corpse had the duty to bury it. He may have feared it was a trap or had other duties that he thought more pressing. What is clear is that he saw the man. That in itself made him culpable for his inaction.
Vs. 32 – Levite – a temple assistant. This, too, was a high and respected position.
Vs 33 – Samaritan – In the story telling genres of the day, the audience would have expected the third man to be an Israelite, never a Samaritan. Had that been the case the story would have been a simple anti clergy message. The fact that it was a Samaritan called into question the accepted boundaries of social position, race and religion. To Jesus those things counted for nothing.
Pity – this word means inwardly moved, torn up inside
Vs. 34 – Notice how many verbs are in this verse! The Samaritan does not just feel compassion, he does things!
Vs. 35 – 2 denarii – two days wage
When I come back – this is not hit and run kindness. The man goes on about
his work but insures the injured man’s care and promises to return to check on him.
Vs. 36-38 – Jesus ends his story by asking the lawyer another question. Who was a neighbor to this man? Again the lawyer knows the answer. He just doesn’t like it. He can’t even bring himself to use the word Samaritan in his reply.
Mercy – active actions arising from compassion in the face of need.

Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Imagine that you are the priest or Levite in this story. What things might have caused you to walk by the man in need? Have there been times when you have walked by needs? What were your reasons?

2. Imagine that you are the wounded man. Is there anyone from whom you would not want to receive care?

3. Who do you think are the most despised people in our day? What would it take to see them as real people beloved of God?

4. How do you see discrimination in our day? What do you think makes someone ‘worthy’ of care? Who are the wounded neighbors in our community? How might we be called upon to provide care?