§154. The Good Samaritan(Luke 10:25–37)

Introduction

  1. One of the most mis-understood parable for it ignores the context.

Exposition

25.  And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

  1. Testing: He expected Jesus would contradict the law.

  2. Yet he claims he believed in eternal life. At least, some of them now understand that Jesus is offering spiritual kingdom.

  3. The question: what must "I do"? Expected an action.

26.  He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

  1. Lord answered wisely - not denouncing the law.

  2. reading - understanding to distinguish between, to recognise, to know accurately, to acknowledge.

  3. Answer is not an action but an attuide - relationship with God and thers.

27.  So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

  1. Dt 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

  2. Ex 23:4–9. “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

  3. Dt 22:1–4 “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. 4 “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.

  4. Is 58:7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

28.  And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

  1. This is not work based salvation - rather, the answer in the dispensation of law.

  2. Lord appreciated the answer. Bible is not a mysterious book: we can understand its meaning.

29.  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

  1. Justify himself - Jewsih definition of neighbour is only Jews and excludes Samaritans and Gentiles.

  2. Le 19:16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

30.  Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

  1. Jerusalem to Jericho - notorious path.

31.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

  1. Priest did not help.

  2. By chance - accidental. May be an opportunity from God or test from God.

32.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

  1. Levite - serving the priest.

33.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

  1. Samaritan - most unexpected person.

  2. Attitude before Action.

34.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

  1. Actions.

    1. So he went to him
    2. bandaged his wounds
    3. pouring on oil and wine
    4. he set him on his own animal
    5. brought him to an inn
    6. took care of him.

35.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’

  1. two denari - 24 days expense.

  2. whatever more - more than the law demands. Wounded person is not a beggar.

36.  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

  1. Agnostic - I don't know.

  2. Atheist - No mercy, do the duty.

  3. Pantheist - All - mercy is a myth, pain is not real.

37.  And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

  1. Go and do likewise - Inadequacy of the law.

Application

  1. The standard of God is very High: You cannot meet the standard of God by your works. It is impossible for you to fulfil its demand. Obeying of law could not save you because its demand is so high. The Priests and Levites representing the religious system that cannot save you.

  2. Jesus is the hero of Your life: He is the Samaritan (The bad guy - the Samaritain - is the hero!). John 8:48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

  3. Who is my neighbour? (i) One who is in need - so help them. (ii) Opportunities come unexpected - so use them. (iii) Help come from the unexpected - do not trust people, but God who moves the heart of people.

About this document ...

Compiled by tfrdn7@gmail.com on 2026-09-13 22:28 for the glory of the Lord