The Meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan

Let's breakdown the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) Bible story so that we can understand its meaning for us today.

A man comes up to Jesus and asks, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus poses the question back at him and he rightly answers that we are to love God and love our neighbor. Then he asks Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus answers with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Let's look at the three main characters in the story:

Priest - The priests' primary responsibility was to make offerings for the people at the Temple to purify them and gain forgiveness for their sins.

Levite - The Levites were the priestly tribe of Israel. They also worked in the Temple on behalf of the Jewish people.

It is likely that the priest and the Levite did not go near the victim's body because he looked dead and touching a dead body required a ritual washing.

Samaritan - The Samaritans were descendants of the Northern tribes of Israel. Rather than going into exile with the rest of Israel, the Samaritan's ancestors stayed in Israel and intermarried with Gentiles. Therefore, the Jews did not think of them as either Gentiles or Jews. The Jews of Jesus' time did not associate with the Samaritans.

Of these three, it was the Samaritan who showed pity on the victim and, therefore, the one who was the neighbor.

Jesus uses this story to explain the unlimited nature of love. Our neighbor is not just someone within our community. Our neighbor is anyone in need of love and mercy. Instead of asking who deserves our love as a neighbor, this parable teaches us that to love beyond the confines of our community or or religion and treat everyone as we ourselves would like to be treated.

As you read this parable, ask yourself:

- When have you been like the priest or the Levite in the story? Why was it hard to help someone in need?
- When have you been like the good Samaritan in the story? What made you want to help someone in need?
- When have you been like the victim in the story? Who was your Good Samaritan?

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Видео The Meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan канала The Religion Teacher