Knowing The Word in Luke 10:29-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

10:29 But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the

man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Comments

Ironically, the lawyer did not understand the implications of his own words in quoting from Scripture. Exactly who a neighbor is he now wants to know. His definition seemed to be confined to the nation of Israel and not outside it. Given the opportunity, Jesus will teach about the New Testament replacing the Old Testament when it comes to the people of God and the true meaning of loving a neighbor as oneself.

Jesus’ parable is not about salvation but about the definition of neighbor for the people of God. The first character, a man walking on the road to Jericho, is understood to be a Jew. The road is 17 miles long and descends 3000’ as it passes through wild country where robbers could easily hide. Jesus’ focus is on the “half dead” man needing someone to help him. The priest, who passes by, would be ceremonially unclean if he touched a corpse. Rather than investigate to see if the man is alive, he avoids him altogether. The next character, a Levite, follows the same pattern as the priest. Then a Samaritan enters the scene.

The Jews and Samaritans had a bitter history. The Jews were a “pure” race of people who kept a “pure” religion. The Samaritans were of mixed races, having all kinds of religious expressions as well. The Samaritan is the last person expected to help. Those hearing the parable were probably expecting a Jewish layman to be the hero to contrast with the religious elite, the villains, who passed by. Here is the rub to all who heard Jesus speak: it is the one with compassion, the Samaritan, who sees a fellow human being and not an obstacle to navigate around. The man from a “wrong” race and religion attends to the beaten man. The alcohol in the wine was used as an antiseptic, while the olive oil would help relieve the pain. Because the beaten man was too weak to walk, the Samaritan put him on his animal and took him to an inn because he did not consider his duty as done. He did not do the minimum but all he could, including a promise to return and check on him and pay any additional expenses.

Instead of answering who a neighbor is, Jesus turned the question around: “To whom am I a neighbor?” This expert in the Law must now rethink whether the priest and Levite, who kept the moral purity laws, really kept the law at all.

Application

Consider why Jesus answers with a parable instead of giving the lawyer a straightforward answer and definition of neighbor. As Jesus wanted the lawyer to identify with one of the characters in the parable, with whom do you identify? How do you now define neighbor in your life? Do you sometimes look for legal answers instead of moral ones to avoid getting involved with the messiness of life?

Prayer

Open my heart, Lord, to those who are hurting and helpless. I want to be like the good Samaritan, not as one who keeps my eyes down, but as one who keeps my eyes on the lookout for those in need and is not afraid of messiness.