6) The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25 37

VI. The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37

Scripture 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. 32 So 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.”

Literary Context The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus as a kind and compassionate figure, not just towards those who are Jewish, but also to Gentiles and Samaritans as well. Luke’s Jesus shows more concern for these groups than either Mark or Matthew, which can be seen in his stories about Samaritans (9:51-56; 10:25-37; 17:11-19).

These stories are powerful because of the historical relationship between Jews and Samaritans at the time. The Jews from the regions of Galilee and Judea were hostile and distrusting of other denominations of Judaism or non-Jews. They reviled the Samaritans, labeling them as “evil” and

“impostor” Jews, and considered them outcasts from the “true” Jewish community. This conflict between the two opposing sides had been taking place for hundreds of years, and was so bad that people had to take alternate routes while traveling to Jerusalem, due to the risk of violence. In Luke’s gospel, however, these Samaritans were welcomed by Jesus, thus illustrating his concern with spreading the message of the “good news” to as many people as possible (Acts 1:8). It is also important to note that in this parable, the priest and the Levite were considered to be “true” or “authentic” Jews at the time, and they were the ones who ignored the beaten man, refusing to

help him despite the fact that this is precisely what their scriptures demand (see Leviticus 19:18). The fact that the Samaritan was the one who demonstrated proper behavior in this parable creates a powerful message that “neighborliness” may be found where you least expect it. The parable of the Good Samaritan thus challenges ethnic stereotypes and teaches a moral lesson about the wickedness of racial and religious prejudice (Wright, 127).

Understanding the historical context of this parable and Luke’s decision to incorporate it into his gospel will help readers understand the broader sense of what it means to “love your neighbor,” to be kind and generous, and ultimately, what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Contemporary Application The gospel of Luke talks about being kind and staying true to yourself and others. This reminds us of Matthew McConaughey’s efforts to help the first responders and victims of the November 2019 Kincaid wildfires in California. During this natural disaster, which burned 77,758 acres in Sonoma County in just six days, he made 800 meals for first responders and distributed them between 20 fire stations. He also prepared 800 meals for homeless shelters. At the time, Mr. McConaughey said to the press: “Being able to provide meals to the men and women who put themselves on the line is an honor for me, Jimmy, and Eddie Russell. We are grateful to be here today to say thank you, shine a light on their unwavering conviction, and hopefully inspire others

to get involved and help in their own communities.” He stated that the BBQ was a comfort food that reminds people of better times, which they need during such a hard time. He delivered 1,600 meals all together.

In Luke 10:25-37, Luke talks about loving your neighbor. In chapter 10:27, Jesus states that people must “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.” McConaughey showed love of neighbor by not just helping his friends or well-known people, but by also helping those in homeless shelters as well. He put his time and money into helping and supporting people who were struggling or fire stations that were helping others that were struggling. In this he seems to be like the Good Samaritan, who instructs the innkeeper to take care of the dying man with his own money, and even offers to pay any additional fees involved in the person’s recovery. Mr. McConaughey’s act of kindness imitates the Samaritan’s mercy and generosity for which he expected nothing in return. His commitment to help those who were suffering is an example of a true neighborly love.

Reflection Exercise Update the Good Samaritan story for a contemporary American audience by putting new characters into the story and giving it a new plot. Who would play the various roles (Jesus, the lawyer, the priest, Levite, Samaritan, robbers, and injured man) in this revised account? What would the new situation be? What would it look like to show mercy and to “go and do likewise” in this new situation? After re-creating this story, make a short skit to let it unfold among your fellow students. How has this re-production of the Good Samaritan story affected your understanding of the negative effects of prejudice and discrimination and the virtue of mercy grounded in an authentic love of others? How can you apply these insights into your service learning experience?

Dig Deeper

The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. 5th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018.

Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2019.

Wright, N.T. Luke for Everyone. 2nd ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2004.