1. Title of the Parable
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
2. Scripture Reference(s)
- Luke 10:25–37 (L)
3. Thematic Category
Love and Mercy to Others; Neighbourliness; Compassion; Social Boundaries
4. Parable Summary
Jesus tells of a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite both see the man but pass by on the other side. A Samaritan, however—considered a cultural and religious outsider—has compassion, tends to the man’s wounds, and pays for his lodging and recovery.
Jesus tells this parable in response to a lawyer’s question: “Who is my neighbour?” He concludes by asking, “Which of these three proved to be a neighbour?” The lawyer answers, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus responds: “Go and do likewise.”
5. Cultural and Historical Context
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notoriously dangerous and steep—about 17 miles, often called the “Way of Blood” due to frequent robberies.
Priests and Levites were religious elites expected to uphold ceremonial purity, possibly avoiding contact with what they feared might be a corpse.
Samaritans were despised by Jews for their ethnic and religious differences, yet Jesus makes a Samaritan the moral hero—an act of radical subversion. His listeners would have expected the third character to be an Israelite layperson—not a Samaritan.
The parable shifts the conversation from “Who is my neighbour?” to “How can I be a neighbour?”
6. Literary Form and Structure
- Type: Ethical parable / illustrative narrative
- Structure: Incident → responses of three characters → question and conclusion
- Techniques: Repetition, reversal of expectations, dialogue, moral dilemma
7. Theological Meaning and Kingdom Implications
The parable conveys that:
- Neighbourly love transcends ethnic, social, and religious boundaries.
- The Kingdom of God is characterised by active compassion and mercy, not just belief.
- True righteousness is seen not in ritual correctness but in loving action.
- Jesus redefines neighbour as anyone in need—and commands His followers to become such neighbours.
8. Moral and Ethical Lessons
- Mercy is not an optional virtue—it is central to Kingdom ethics.
- Religious identity or status does not guarantee moral action.
- Love must be costly, inconvenient, and practical—not theoretical.
- The call to discipleship includes cross-cultural compassion and social justice.
9. Jesus’ Interpretation or Explanation
Jesus turns the legal expert’s question on its head. Instead of defining who qualifies as a neighbour, Jesus asks, “Which of these was a neighbour?”—shifting the focus from categorisation to character.
He commands: “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37), making this parable a call to imitation, not just understanding.
10. Application for Contemporary Readers
- Encourages active concern for the vulnerable, marginalised, and socially outcast.
- Condemns indifference disguised as religious observance.
- Challenges believers to expand their definition of neighbour to include the culturally and politically “other.”
- Calls the Church to embody mercy and compassion in practical, sacrificial ways.
11. Comparative Insights and Scholarly Commentary
- Augustine allegorically interpreted the parable as the story of salvation, with the Samaritan representing Christ.
- Calvin preferred a moral reading, emphasising practical love over ritual.
- Craig Blomberg argues the parable primarily teaches unbounded mercy and action-based love.
- N.T. Wright sees the parable as Jesus redefining covenantal identity—not by ancestry or law, but by mercy.
- Amy-Jill Levine emphasises how the story disrupts social categories and compels listeners to identify with the wounded man.
12. Cross-References
- Micah 6:8 – “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly…”
- Matthew 22:37–40 – The greatest commandments: love God and neighbour
- James 2:14–17 – Faith without works is dead
- Hosea 6:6 – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”
13. Key Quotes and Phrases
- “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho…” (Luke 10:30)
- “When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.” (Luke 10:31–32)
- “But a Samaritan… had compassion.” (Luke 10:33)
- “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)