*Luke 10:25-42
Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan, teaching a powerful lesson about compassion and love for one’s neighbor.
- The Lawyer’s Question:
- A lawyer stands up to test Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life.
- Jesus responds by asking what the Law says, to which the lawyer answers: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
- Jesus affirms the answer and instructs him to follow these commands to live.
- Parable of the Good Samaritan:
- Seeking clarification on who qualifies as a “neighbor,” the lawyer asks Jesus another question.
- In response, Jesus tells the story of a man attacked by robbers while traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.
- A priest and a Levite each pass by the injured man without helping.
- A Samaritan, despite historical animosity with the Jews, shows compassion by tending to the man’s wounds, transporting him to an inn, and providing for his care.
- Jesus asks who among the three was a neighbor to the injured man; the lawyer answers, “The one who showed mercy.”
- Jesus encourages him to go and do likewise.
- Visit to Martha and Mary:
- Jesus visits the home of sisters Martha and Mary.
- Martha is preoccupied with preparations while Mary sits and listens to Jesus’s teaching.
- Frustrated, Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her.
- Jesus gently corrects Martha, affirming that she is worried about many things, but Mary has chosen what is better by focusing on Jesus’s words.
10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 10:27 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.
10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 10:30 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.
10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 10:34 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.
10:35 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.
10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.