The parable of the Good Samaritan is told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37). It’s about a traveller (implicitly understood to be Jewish) who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead on the side of a road.
A Jewish priest and then a Levite come by, both avoiding the man. A Samaritan happens upon him, and though Samaritan’s and Jew’s were generally antagonistic toward each other, helps him.
Jesus tells the parable in response to a provocative question from a lawyer in the context of the Great Commandment: “And who is my neighbour?” The conclusion is that the neighbour figure in the parable is the one who shows mercy to their fellow man and/or woman.
Luke 10:29-37
King James Version (KJV)
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And 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.
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And behold, a certain [a]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 neighbour as yourself.’”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
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, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, 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.
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.
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.’
36 So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him “Go and do likewise”
Footnotes
a. Luke 10:35 A denarius was a day’s wage for a labourer
In the time of Jesus, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notorious for its danger and difficulty and was known as the ‘Way of Blood’ because of the blood which is often shed there by robbers who robbed people. It’s a winding, meandering road. It’s really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, which is about 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later by car, you’re about 2200 feet below sea level.
(A map of the Roman Province of Judea in the time of Jesus. Jericho is just north of the Dead Sea, with Jerusalem to the west. )
Jesus’ target audience, the Jews, hated Samaritans to such a degree that they destroyed the Samaritans’ temple on Mount Gerizim.
The Samaritans, reciprocally, hated the Jews. Tensions between them were particularly high in the early decades of the 1st century because Samaritans had desecrated the Jewish Temple at Passover with human bones.
Due to this hatred, some think that the lawyer’s phrase “The one who had mercy on him” (Luke 10:37) may indicate a reluctance to name the Samaritan.
Or, on another, more positive note, it may indicate that the lawyer has recognised that both his questions have been answered and now concludes by generally expressing that anyone behaving thus is a (Leviticus 19:18) “neighbour” eligible to inherit eternal life?
Takeaway thoughts
This parable means that we should show mercy and compassion to others, regardless of their race, religion, or social status. Jesus told this metaphor to convey the idea of unconditional and non-transactional love and mercy, the love Jesus shows humanity.
The test, I believe is not to just help someone you know, but someone you don’t, in their time of need, even when you think they may not do the same for you, hence unconditional and non-transactional.
Humans are called to love and act with kindness towards all people, particularly those in need. Who is your neighbour beyond societal boundaries and prejudices?
The term ‘Good Samaritan’ is now synonymous with anyone who helps a ‘stranger’ in need. It’s a reminder that true neighbourly love is shown through our actions (works), not just our beliefs or words.
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