Parable: The Good Samaritan
What should we learn today from this story? It is one of the most well-known of Christ’s parables, but perhaps one of the most misunderstood of them all. Here’s the account of it.
Luke 10:30-37
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. [Emphasis added]
It is in this last verse that we see our Lord’s answer to this very important question that prompted the telling of this story. Therefore, let’s back up and see what that was.
Luke 10:25-29
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
We all need to realize that this is the most important question we could ever ask someone. But notice the answer He gives. Is this the answer we should give to this question today? I’m afraid there are many people who think that it is.
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? [Emphasis added]
Again, is this what someone should say today in answer to this question about the means to eternal life? Should we follow the example of Jesus in how we today should answer this question? There are many today who would say we should live by the example of Jesus in His earthly ministry. Should we regarding this? Is this our gospel [good news] message for people today? What confusion we have about all this! The solution to the main question here is found through the application of the principle of right division.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
This is telling us that although the whole Bible is FOR us, it is NOT all TO us. Is the answer Jesus gives the Good Samaritan the same answer God gives us today? Everyone needs to know the answer to this.
The one in the Luke passage who is called a “lawyer” is a theologian of the day who people supposed were experts in their understanding and teachings of God through the Mosaic Law. But let’s note what the apostle Paul says in answer to this question about the means to eternal life. Don’t his words represent Christ’s words to us today?
1 Corinthians 14:37
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. [Emphasis added]
Don’t the teachings of the apostle Paul about this conflict with the teachings of Christ in the time of His earthly ministry? Did Paul teach that we should live by the teachings of the Mosaic Law to gain eternal life? No, he clearly did not! Isn’t this teaching of Christ in His earthly ministry different from what our Lord told the apostle Paul in His heavenly ministry? Let’s look at what the apostle Paul tells us about the place of the Mosaic Law in our justification for salvation today.
Romans 3:20
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [Emphasis added]
The apostle Paul addresses this question often.
Romans 3:28
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. [Emphasis added]
Could it be stated any plainer?
Galatians 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [Emphasis added]
Obviously, this was a common problem in people’s thinking in that day, much as it is now. Instead of providing a way of salvation for us today, the Mosaic Law serves to help man see his need for a Savior, namely, Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:24
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [Emphasis added]
As Paul spent much time addressing the place of the Mosaic Law then, so we today are still dealing with this.
When I attended a religious private school when I was in the fourth grade, I can still remember having to memorize the Ten Commandments, the Decalogue [Exodus 20]. I was then led to believe that I could have eternal life by living by those commandments. Was this true? Of course not! But I didn’t know any better until sometime later.
When people claim they can be saved by keeping the commands of the Law, their thinking is contrary to the clear statements of the Word of God that is addressed to us today through the apostle Paul’s writings. If the people of Israel failed to even keep the general statements of the Mosaic Law, why should we think it would be any different for us today?
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [Emphasis added]
Leviticus 19:18
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. [Emphasis added]
While man may try diligently to keep the Law, he fails just as all others, making them in desperate need of a Savior. While it is true that if one can keep the Law perfectly, it results in eternal life, no one can keep it perfectly. Sinners cannot perform the Law flawlessly, so, again, the Law simply serves to alert people and give them an awareness of their sin and of their need for a Savior.
Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [Emphasis added]
This scholar of the Mosaic Law mentioned in our passage, evidently under conviction of his guilt, seeks to justify himself, doing the same as what most people do with their sense of guilt before God. Notice again his comment.
Luke 10:29
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? [Emphasis added]
Like this man, people seek to make themselves out to be better than they really are, failing to acknowledge their need for a Savior. Our Lord then told that famous story of the good Samaritan to drive His point home. Let’s look at that again.
Luke 10:30-37
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. [Emphasis added]
The primary purpose of this parable was to address the question of the lawyer: “Who is my neighbor?” The lawyer, being versed in the Mosaic Law, was trying to trip up Jesus. As usual, Jesus caused His questioner to answer his own question. It was extremely difficult for the Jewish lawyer to admit that a despised Samaritan was a better neighbor than a priest or a Levite of the Jews. It is this that is the primary lesson of the parable.
As a practical application to us, we need to realize that there are people who will cross our path in life that we need to help materially and/or spiritually. We need to never allow petty or superficial prejudices to hinder us in any of this. When we see a need the helpless have, we need to do everything we can to help in meeting that need. Again, this is true with material needs, but especially the spiritual ones. To gain eternal life, God has provided the only means to it. It is this message that we should be very familiar with and fully prepared and willing to share.
Romans 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [Emphasis added]
There are, of course, more passages that give us more of the details.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Among other things, this tells us we’re all in the ministry. This means we’re to all see ourselves as ones who are to be of service to share the good news message of the Gospel.
19 To wit [that is to say], that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
Anyone can put their faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the sole basis for their salvation and gain eternal life today. If they do, the matter is then settled once and for all. If you’ve not done that, I encourage you to do it now.
