The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known parables in the Bible. It is often used as a discussion topic in Sunday School classes and Bible studies. But what many people don’t know is that there are actually several questions that can be asked about this story. In this blog post, we will explore some of those questions and provide answers based on Scripture. We hope that this reflection will help you better understand the Parable of the Good Samaritan in the Bible and its meaning for your life!
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a story Jesus told to help illustrate the concept of love. In this story, a man is beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite both walk past him without helping, but a Samaritan stops to help. The Samaritan not only helps the man, but he also pays for his medical expenses and provides for him until he is healed. When Jesus asked who was the neighbor of the man who was beaten and left for dead, His disciples gave various answers. But Jesus taught that anyone who shows love to others is a neighbor. This parable teaches us that we are called to love everyone – even our enemies! – just as God loves us.
One of the questions we often get asked about this story is, “Why did the Samaritan help the man when the priest and Levite didn’t?” The answer is found in Luke’s account of this story. In Luke, Jesus specifically mentions that the Samaritan was moved with compassion when he saw the man lying on the road. This shows us that it was not simply a sense of duty or obligation that led the Samaritan to help, but rather it was a deep-seated compassion for his fellow man. He saw someone in need and he responded out of love. This is what we are called to do as well! We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke ).
Another question we get asked is, “Why didn’t the priest or Levite help the man?” The answer to this question is a little more difficult to determine. It could be that they were simply too busy or that they didn’t want to get involved. But it’s also possible that they didn’t stop because they didn’t see the man as their neighbor. In other words, they may have seen him as someone who was not worthy of their help. This is a danger we all face! We can so easily see people as objects instead of human beings created in God’s image. But when we do this, we fail to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Finally, someone might ask, “What does this story mean for me? How can I apply it to my life?” The answer to this question will be different for everyone, but there are a few things we can all take away from the story. First, we are called to love our neighbor – no matter who they are or what they have done. Second, we should always be on the lookout for ways to help those in need. And third, we should never hesitate to show compassion to others.
We hope that this reflection has been helpful! If you have any other questions about the Parable of the Good Samaritan, feel free to leave them in the comments below and we’ll do our best to answer them. Thanks for reading!
Luke 10:25-37 KJV The Parable of the Good Samaritan King James Version
Luke 10:25-37 KJV 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.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan New International Version Luke 10:25-37 NIV
Luke 10:25-37 NIV On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (26) “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” (27) 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.'” (28) “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” (29) But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (30) In reply Jesus said: “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. (31) A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. (32) So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (33) But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. (34) 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. (35) 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.’ (36) “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (37) The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Devotional Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, we come to you today with humble hearts, asking for your help in being compassionate to others. So often we are blind to the needs of those around us, and we fail to show your love in practical ways. We pray that you would help us to be good Samaritans, always looking for ways to help those in need. Give us wisdom to know how best to help, and courage to reach out even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. Help us to put aside our own selfishness and show true compassion to those less fortunate than us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.