Episode notes
The Samaritan is a true neighbor
STUDY THE BOOK
Luke 10:25-37
Similar to the parable of the soils in Luke 8:4-15, context is critical to understanding the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The scene began when a lawyer approached Jesus with the intent to test Him (Luke 10:25). We must remember that Jesus was not responding to someone who was genuinely seeking truth but who was intent on justifying himself (v. 29).
Hoping to challenge Jesus, the lawyer found himself having to answer his own question. On the topic of the greatest com-mandment, the lawyer recited Deuteronomy 6:5.
Known as the "Shema" (Hebrew for
"hear"), this was a portion of Scripture that many Jews recited two times each day.
However, the discussion about loving your neighbor (Lev. 19:18) prompted the parable.
It is apparent that the lawyer wanted to narrow the scope of who exactly he had to love.
Evidently he did not want to do more than was necessary to fulfill the Law's requirements.
Jesus, on the other hand, demonstrated that in His kingdom love meets needs.
Culturally, we struggle to appreciate how much this story would have galled those lis-tening.
We hear the term "Good Samaritan" with a happy heart; Jews saw it as the ultimate oxymoron. Jews despised Samaritans, to the point that many would walk miles out of their way to avoid walking on Samaritan soil.
Through this shocking parable, Jesus pointed out that loving one's neighbor is not a box to be checked on a spiritual checklist, but a limitless habit of seeing and meeting needs.
MORE INSIGHT
• A denarius was the equivalent of a day's wage for a common laborer.
• A night's stay in an inn usually cost one-twelfth of a denarius.
• By paying two denarii, not only was the Samaritan paying two days' wages, but he was also paying for about three weeks' worth of accommodations.
previous: Luke 8:4-15
next: Luke 15:1-32