Holy Bible Online 
The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. With it, we learn the importance of having a heart so filled with love and mercy that when someone is in need, we don't focus on their race, religion, or social class. Love will move us to action, and we will love that person as we love ourselves.
Let’s look at what the parable says.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
- Luke 10:25-37
Summary of the Parable
In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a man who was attacked by robbers, beaten, and left for dead on the road. A priest and a Levite, representing respected religious figures, passed by the injured man and ignored him.
The parable of the Good Samaritan was Jesus' response to a lawyer who asked Him who his neighbor was. Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus told him this story so that he could reflect and discover it himself.
A man was on a road when thieves attacked him, taking everything he had. They wounded him in such a way that they left him half dead in the middle of the road. Three other people passed by the road. First, a priest who saw the man on the ground, ignored him, and continued on his way. Second, a Levite passed by. Levites, like priests, worked in the temple. Logically, one of them would stop, but no, the Levite also passed by without helping the man. Perhaps they were indifferent, pressed for time, or possibly afraid of becoming ritually unclean by touching him.
The third person to pass by was a Samaritan. The Samaritans and Jews had a certain rivalry. The Samaritans were considered inferior and heretics. However, the Samaritan had compassion on the man lying in the road. He stopped to help him, bandaged his wounds, and took him to a place where he cared for him. Before continuing on his way, he left enough money for someone else to take care of the wounded man.
Jesus concludes the parable by asking the lawyer which of the three - the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan - acted as a "neighbor" to the injured man. The unlikely but obvious answer is the Samaritan. And Jesus encouraged him to do the same, to show mercy to his neighbor.
Explanation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches valuable lessons about loving your neighbor, generosity, and a true understanding of God’s will. Through this story, Jesus emphasized that faith is not about religious rituals or traditions but about showing practical love and mercy to others, even those who belong to marginalized groups or are considered enemies.
Jesus makes it clear that everyone is our neighbor, regardless of their background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion. Therefore, we must love unconditionally, always ready to help those in need. When the opportunity arises, we too must demonstrate love to those who need it.
What is the lesson of the parable?
With this parable, we learn the importance of loving and having compassion for others, no matter who they are. The great commandment to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourselves is one that leads to action: it must be practiced! Love that is not expressed in concrete ways is not true love, but just an emotion.
God Himself expressed His love for us through action. He sent Jesus so that, through Him, we could have forgiveness for our sins and eternal life.
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
- 1 John 4:9-10
The love that comes from God is free of prejudice. It doesn’t focus on race, gender, social condition, or anything else to decide whether to act or not. It’s a love that crosses all the barriers humans might erect to reach everyone. The Samaritan had no obligation to help the Jewish man lying in the road, but his compassion was greater than any prejudice. And that’s how it should be. Let us help our neighbor, love practically those who are in need. Let’s show God’s love!
You May Also Be Interested In: