Luke 10:30-37
30 Jesus replied, “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 10:30-37: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 30: “Jesus replied, ‘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.'”
Jesus begins with a story. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was known for danger. Robbers were common. The man is left in a dire state, emphasizing his need for help.
Verse 31: “A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.”
The priest represents religious authority. He sees the man but chooses to avoid him. This highlights a failure in expected compassion.
Verse 32: “So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”
Levites assisted priests in temple duties. Like the priest, the Levite also avoids the injured man. This further underscores the neglect from those who should be compassionate.
Verse 33: “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
Samaritans were despised by Jews. Yet, it is the Samaritan who shows compassion. This is unexpected and challenges social prejudices.
Verse 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.”
The Samaritan takes immediate action. He uses his own resources to treat the man’s wounds. He ensures the man is safe and cared for.
Verse 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.'”
The Samaritan goes further. He provides for the man’s continued care. His commitment is both immediate and ongoing.
Verse 36: “‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’
Jesus poses a question. He asks who truly acted as a neighbor. This shifts the focus from identity to action.
Verse 37: “The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.'”
The expert acknowledges the Samaritan’s mercy. Jesus commands to follow this example. The lesson is clear: true neighborliness is shown through compassionate action.