Parables
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Luke 10:25-37
#1 – The Genre
This passage contains one of Jesus’ parables, generally known as the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable is set within the larger context of a discussion between Jesus and an expert on religious law. That discussion is narrative. The breakdown, then, is this:
- Narrative – vv. 25-29
- Parable – vv. 30-35
- Narrative – vv. 36-37
The genre of the book of Luke is gospel. Luke’s emphasis is often on Jesus’ compassion toward the marginalized (the poor, women, children, the sick, etc.), and this parable is found only in this gospel. The opening narrative sets the scene for the parable. The closing narrative offers concluding responses from the religious lawyer and Jesus.
#2 – Generic Conception (“Big Idea”)
The generic conception of Luke 10:25-37:
Eternal life comes by loving God with everything and loving our neighbors as ourselves (the first and second greatest commandments), but Jesus clarifies that these commands are not subject to limitation, especially since those who qualify as our neighbors extend beyond the confines of our ethnic or religious group.
#3 – Observation about the Passage
The lawyer cites Deuteronomy 6:5 (first greatest commandment) and Leviticus 19:18 (second greatest commandment) in answer to Jesus’ original question. Jesus, in reply, cites Leviticus 18:5 (“So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD.”) and Ezekiel 20:11 (“I gave them My statutes and informed them of My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live.”), and in doing so reminds the lawyer that those two commandments sum up the entire Mosaic law.
Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero of the parable. A deep enmity excited between Jews and Samaritans. Jews considered Samaritans half-breeds, and Samaritans considered themselves the only true followers of God. A chapter earlier, Luke records the Samaritans rejecting Jesus (9:51-56). Jesus’ use of the Samaritan provides a drastic contrast for the other two figures who encounter the wounded man: the priest and the Levite. Also, Jesus highlights the Samaritan’s generosity by having him spend two denarii on the wounded man, which was two days’ wages, and then promising to cover any extra expenses on his way back through.
#4 – Interpretation of the Passage
Jesus laid the full weight of the law on the lawyer. To fully love God and love his neighbor was an impossible command. The lawyer sought to lighten his burden by checking to see if his neighbors were people he could claim love for. Jesus did not directly answer the lawyer’s question, which was “who is my neighbor?” but chose to challenge the lawyer’s concept of neighbor. Jesus’ parable is an elucidation of the concept of who qualifies as a neighbor, and thus who we are commanded to love by the second greatest commandment.
The lawyer asks for this clarification, probably expecting to hear that his neighbor is his countryman. After all, that is the immediate context of Leviticus 19:18, which begins: “You shall not […] bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This understanding is strengthened by the preceding verse (19:17), which says, “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.” The lawyer, as an expert in Mosaic Law, surely knew these surrounding verses. But a vital verse later in Leviticus 19 repeats the idea of loving another as yourself, and that’s verse 34: “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.”
It was not the priest or the Levite who stopped to help the wounded man. It was the Samaritan, who “felt compassion” when he saw him. Our response, especially to the wounded, the outcast, and the poor, should be one of compassionate embrace. Jesus uses this parable to broaden the lawyer’s concept of neighbor, and hopefully ours as well.
#5 – Application
- Who do I consider my neighbor? Am I only kind to those I feel comfortable around?
- Do I place restrictions on the circumstances under which I’m willing to help others, such as when I have enough time, or as long as it’s not inconvenient, or if it won’t cost much?
- The lawyer sought to justify himself with his question to Jesus. In what ways do I seek to find my righteousness in my own actions? Do I seek God’s heart, or the letter of the law?
- The Samaritan had a heart of compassion for the wounded man. How can I cultivate this spirit and encourage sensitivity toward the hurting and needy?