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The Parable of the Good Samaritan as a Neighborly Example

The Parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37, illustrates the meaning of "neighbor" through an example of compassionate action rather than ethnic or religious affiliation. The term "parable" (Greek parabole) generally refers to a comparison or similitude, often an illustration of one subject by another [1, 2]. In the New Testament, parables are frequently used by Jesus to convey spiritual truths through earthly stories [2, 4].

The parable begins with a lawyer testing Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by asking the lawyer to interpret the law, to which the lawyer correctly replies, "You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27). When the lawyer then asks, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan [9].

In the parable, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by on the other side of the road, offering no assistance. However, a Samaritan, a member of a group often at odds with Jews, comes upon the injured man. Moved with compassion, the Samaritan bandages his wounds, pours oil and wine on them, sets him on his own animal, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care, promising to cover any additional expenses upon his return [3].

Jesus then asks the lawyer, "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" The lawyer replies, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus concludes by instructing him, "Go and do likewise" [11].

This parable challenges conventional understandings of neighborliness. The priest and the Levite, who would have been expected to show compassion due to their religious roles, fail to act. In contrast, the Samaritan, an outsider, demonstrates true neighborly love [8]. The narrative highlights that being a neighbor is not about shared identity but about actively showing mercy and kindness to anyone in need, even those considered strangers or enemies [8, 11]. The concept of hospitality was highly valued in the ancient world, with Jewish law specifically commanding compassion towards strangers, recalling Israel's own experience as strangers in Egypt [5]. The New Testament also emphasizes hospitality, requiring it of ministers and presenting it as a test of Christian character [6].

The parable's impact extends beyond its immediate context, opening "new fountains of charity" and inspiring numerous Christian institutions dedicated to care for others [10]. It underscores the principle of doing good to all people, especially those within the "household of faith," but also to strangers and even enemies, as opportunity allows [7]. The lawyer's initial question about who his neighbor was is answered not by defining a specific group of people, but by demonstrating the actions of a true neighbor [11]. The parable thus shifts the focus from identifying who one's neighbor is to how one acts as a neighbor.

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
  3. Luke “But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, -- Luke 10:33”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parables — Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament -- Jdj 9:8-15; 2Sa 12:1-4; 14:5-7. Parables of christ Wise and foolish builders. -- Mt 7:24-27. Children of the bride chamber. -- Mt 9:15. New cloth and old garment. -- Mt 9:16. New wine and old bottles. -- Mt 9:17. Unclean spirit. -- Mt 12:43. Sower. -- Mt 13:3-23; Lu 8:5-15. Tares. -- Mt 13:24-30,36-43. Mustard-seed. -- Mt 13:31,32; Lu 13:19. Leaven. -- Mt 13:33. Treasure hid in a field. -- Mt 13:44. Pearl of great price. -- Mt 13:45,46. Net cast into the sea. -- Mt 13:47-50. Meats defiling not. -- Mt 15:10-15. Un”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hospitality — Hospitality was regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues. The Jewish laws respecting strangers (Leviticus 19:33,34) and the poor, (Leviticus 23:14) seq. Deuteronomy 15:7 And concerning redemption (Leviticus 25:23) seq., etc. are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality. In the law compassion to strangers is constantly enforced by the words "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34) And before the law, Abraham's entertainment of the angels, (Genesis 18:1) seq., and Lot's, (Genesis 19:1) are ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
  7. Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:9: As we have therefore opportunity,.... Or "ability", so the phrase is sometimes used (z); as occasion requires, objects offer, as there is ability of well doing, and that continues; while the time of life lasts, which is the time for sowing, or doing good works: let us do good unto all men; not only to our relations, friends, and acquaintance, but to all men; to them that are strangers to us, of whatsoever nation, Jew or Gentile; and of whatsoever religion or sect, yea, even to our very enemies: especially unto them who are of the household of faith: the children”
  8. Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 10:29: And Jesus answering, said,.... The following things; which may either be considered as a narrative of matter of fact, or as a supposed case, and delivered by way of parable; and in either way, though the general design of it is in answer to the lawyer's question, to show who may be called a neighbour; and that a man who is a stranger, and accounted an enemy, yet doing acts of mercy, kindness, and beneficence, to one in distress, ought to be accounted a neighbour: and has a much better title to such a character, than one of the same nation and religion, who takes no not”
  9. Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 10:25: QUESTION OF A LAWYER AND PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN. (Luk 10:25-37) tempted him--"tested him"; in no hostile spirit, yet with no tender anxiety for light on that question of questions, but just to see what insight this great Galilean teacher had.”
  10. Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 10:37: Go, &c.--O exquisite, matchless teaching! What new fountains of charity has not this opened up in the human spirit--rivers in the wilderness, streams in the desert! What noble Christian institutions have not such words founded, all undreamed of till that wondrous One came to bless this heartless world of ours with His incomparable love--first in words, and then in deeds which have translated His words into flesh and blood, and poured the life of them through that humanity which He made His own! Was this parable, now, designed to magnify the law of love,”
  11. Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 10:36: And he said, he that showed mercy to him,.... Meaning the Samaritan; which he was obliged to declare, though of another country and religion, and accounted as an enemy; yet the case was so plain, as put by Christ, that he could not with any honour or conscience, say otherwise: then said Jesus unto him, go and do thou likewise; such like acts of beneficence and kindness, though to a person of a different nation and religion, and though even an enemy; and by so doing, thou wilt not only appear to be a good neighbour thyself, but to love thy neighbour as thyself.”
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