Parable of the Good Samaritan
Author: Steve Amato
Keywords: bible study,parable, jesus, gospel, good samaritan, samaritan

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# The Parable of
Good Samaritan

Luke 10:30-37 Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (web)

# Discussion Questions

Describe the context in which Jesus is telling this parable.
Why might the priest and levite have passed him by?
Why might you?
How did the Samaritan love with his heart, mind, soul and strength?
Describe his attitude compared what you may speculate concerning that of the priest and levite.
What actions did he take to enhance the quality of his service?
What essential service are you performing?
And what can you do to enhance the quality of your service?

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# Comments

A lawyer had tried to test Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied in a manner consistent with the understanding of the religious elite, that by following the spirit of the law - loving God with all one's heart, mind, soul and strength and one's neighbor as oneself - one will inherit eternal life. This was the righteousness of the law. Another way of looking at it is that if one does only good and never sins, naturally one inherits eternal life, there being no basis of condemnation.

No one actually achieves this, which is the reason Christ had to provide a different way of obtaining eternal life, through the forgiveness of sins rather than through perfect behavior, as it is written:

> "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:20-24

But in speaking hypothetically, Jesus is correct in answering with the law. He often does this for those in need of a bit of humiliation in order to convict them of sin. For that is the purpose of the law, as Romans above also states - to bring awareness of one's sinfulness.

But, in typical lawyer fashion, this man tried to get around the law, making it more palatable for him. For if the law is to love one's neighbor, perhaps we can limit what "neighbor" means, so as to limit our responsibilities. As amusing as this may seem, I find this attitude of "let me interpret the Bible in such a way that it fits into my chosen lifestyle" rather than deriving our lifestyles from the Bible, to be quite common in the Christian community even to the highest levels. It was in this context that Jesus told this parable.

The priest and the Levite represent the religious elite. These people were characteristically arrogant and hypocritical, treating others they considered to be of a lower class, such as Samaritans, with contempt. Samaritans in particular were looked down upon. For though holding claims on Judaism, they were not pure Jews. They were half-breeds both genetically and theologically, and the Jewish religious elite was also quite racist at the time. Characteristic of Jesus, he loves to humiliate the proud and lift up the humble, and thus he used a Samaritan in his illustration.

But Jesus was not exaggerating in his portrayal of the priest and Levite. And the crowds, as well as the lawyer, knew that. I could well imagine that this priest and Levite would have asked themselves the same question when they saw the man in trouble that the lawyer had asked of Jesus ("Who is my neighbor?"). I can imagine they would have a little theological debate in their mind desperately trying to find some "Biblical" reason for not stopping to help the man. And sure enough, from their years of hard study, they manage to find something to absolve themselves of such responsibility.

Some (certainly not all) study the Bible, even perhaps go to seminary, just to get around what the Bible says. They see a need to be met but through their theology manage to avoid meeting it. In the process of doing this such people often try to bring the righteousness of the law down to a level where it is attainable to them. And thus they miss the righteousness which is by grace through the forgiveness of sins, not having sufficient awareness of their own sinfulness.

But consider the man who exercised a righteous behavior.

- He saw the need and took pity, indicating that his heart was involved. He was sincerely concerned and not simply reluctantly fulfilling his responsibility in obedience to the law.
- He had a high quality of service, sparing no expense. He didn't simply pour on water, but oil and wine - expensive items.
- He made sure to complete the job, meeting all the man's needs, and not just some of them. He wasn't so calculating as to limit his service to just so much and no more. For he even returned to pay any extra expenses. Nor did he simply pass on the responsibility by dropping him off at the inn with that attitude "I did my part. Now the innkeeper can take over." But rather he stayed with him paying his expenses.

If one is trying to attain the righteousness which is through the law, realize that it is not sufficient simply to obey the letter of the law, or simply have the attitude of fulfilling responsibilities. For according to the law, one must love with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength. Less than this is not living according to the law.

Jesus meant for the requirements of the Law to seem overwhelming. And in this way to prepare people, even the self-righteous, to be compelled to receive the gospel of grace. For the gospel of grace contains a righteousness which is apart from the Law, the righteousness from God which comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

# Rap

A lawyer once asked,"What must I do To inherit eternal life, what say you?" Jesus replied, "What says the Law?" "To love God and your neighbor without any flaw". This said the man and Jesus replied, "Do this and you will be justified". "But who is my neighbor in what category?" He said and so Jesus told him this story A man was going along the way And suddenly found himself in great dismay He was robbed, beaten and left for dead While the robbers took what they would and fled A priest happened to go down the street And saw the man whom the robbers did beat But he passed him by on the other side He could have helped, but he did not provide A Levite also did the same. But finally a Samaritan came. When he saw he took pity on him As the man's prospects were clearly grim He bandaged his wounds pouring on wine and oil Caring for him with much toil He took him to an inn and then the next day Payed for his care while he went away But told the innkeeper, "I will return And pay you any extra that you earn" Now which of these three do you suppose Was a neighbor to the man, which do you propose? "The one who showed mercy," the lawyer replies Jesus answered, "Go and do likewise." So if you think by the Law you will be saved You'd better be more than just well behaved You must love in spirit and not only in letter Though you think you're good, you must be better.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources