The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37, SV

On one occasion, a legal expert stood up to put him to the test with a question: "Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "How do you read what is written in the Law?"

And he answered, "You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your energy, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus said to him, "You have given the correct answer; do this and you will have life."

But with a view to justifying himself, he said to Jesus, "But who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied:

There was a man going from Jerusalem down to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and went off, leaving him half dead.

Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road; when he caught sight of him, he went out of his way to avoid him.

In the same way, when a Levite came to the place, he took one look at him and crossed the road to avoid him.

But this Samaritan who was traveling that way came to where he was and was moved to pity at the sight of him. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring olive oil and wine on them. He hoisted him onto his own animal, brought him to an inn, and looked after him.

The next day he took out two silver coins, which he gave to the innkeeper, and said, "Look after him, and on my way back I'll reimburse you for any extra expense you have had."

"Which of these three, in your opinion, acted like a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"

He said, "The one who showed him compassion."

Jesus said to him, "Then go and do the same yourself."

Luke 10:25-37, NRSV

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"

He 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."

And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus 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.

Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He 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.

The 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."

"Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"

He said, "The one who showed him mercy."

Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

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Return to Jesus as wisdom teacher
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Introduction

A Portrait of Jesus Introduction

Research and Scholarship Perspective

About Marcus Borg

Lenses through which Borg sees Jesus

The Nature of the Gospels

The Pre- and Post-Easter Jesus

Compare Pre- and Post-Easter Jesus

Summaries of the Pre-Easter Jesus

Spirit Dimension

Context: Spirit Persons in Many Cultures

Jesus as Spirit Person

Jesus as Healer

Wisdom Dimension

Context: Wisdom Teachers in Many Cultures

Jesus as Wisdom Teacher

Political Dimension

Context: Social and Cultural World of Jesus

Jesus as Social Prophet

Jesus as Movement Founder

The Post-Easter Jesus

The Post-Easter Jesus

What Difference Does it Make?

Implications for Christian Life