Author’s Note: Interested readers can find all previous volumes of this series here.
Thanks for joining our study. Today we explore the biblical basis for the common phrase “good Samaritan.” Most likely, you have heard the words used to describe someone who unexpectedly helps a stranger in their time of need.
However, unless you are a Bible reader, you might not know that the phrase is based on a parable (teaching story) told by Jesus. Therefore, we will read the verses to garner an understanding of the context and broader meaning of the Good Samaritan found only in the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37). The story begins:
"On one occasion an expert in the [Jewish] law stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
"'What is written in the Law?' he replied. 'How do you read it?'"
He answered, "'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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
"'You have answered correctly,' Jesus replied. 'Do this and you will live.'
"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'" (Luke 10: 25-29).
Without missing a beat — proving that Jesus is the master communicator — He replied to the wise guy lawyer:
"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
"A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
"The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise' (Luke 10:30-37).
What makes this lesson so poignant? Four reasons:
First, it is essential to know that at the time of Jesus, Jews discriminated against Samaritans. They did not associate with them or travel through their land. According to Christianity.com, “Because of their imperfect adherence to Judaism and their partly pagan ancestry, the Samaritans were despised by ordinary Jews.”
That is precisely why Jesus used a “despised” Samaritan to show God’s love by helping a neighbor in need. A Samaritan character best illustrated what Jesus called the two “Greatest Commandments” recorded in Matthew (22:34-40) and Mark (12:28-34). (See Vol. 33 for further study.)
Second, and contrasted with the Samaritan, were a priest and Levite. These two characters represented the most distinguished, revered, and devout members of the Jewish community as they “passed by on the other side,” ignoring the injured man. Jesus provides no reason for their lack of action, leaving us to ask: Did they think of themselves as too high and mighty to stop? Did they consider the half-dead man to be “unclean”? Did they believe that the man deserved his injuries?
As we previously read in Luke’s Gospel, two commandments were spoken by Jesus before he taught the Good Samaritan parable. But, unlike in Matthew and Mark, Jesus did not specifically name them as the Greatest Commandments. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, Luke’s is the only Gospel where Jesus teaches the parable and then showcases the two commandments in action.
Third, only Jesus would dare teach such a critical lesson to an “expert in the law.” By doing so, He purposely demeaned the two highest classes of temple authorities and, worse, made a lowly Samaritan the hero. Undoubtedly, the parable contributed to Jewish leaders’ perceptions that Jesus was a growing threat who needed to be extinguished.
Fourth, we learn from the parable that when the occasion arises for us to become good Samaritans, we are called into service by the love of God who lives within our hearts and soul. Therefore, it is fitting that Samaritan’s Purse, the large international and domestic relief organization led by Rev. Franklin Graham, embraces the name.
In the future, whenever you hear the phrase “good Samaritan,” remember how the name of a sect — so despised in ancient Israel — was transformed into representing aid and comfort to humanity. Whether by loving your “neighbor” who might be a stranger in a crisis or tens of thousands on a global scale, Jesus commanded us to take action and not “pass by on the other side,” saying:
“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, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a media producer and conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. She is also Executive Director of www.SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to educating people about the Shroud of Turin. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.
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