The Good Samaritan

A Question About Love

One day a man came to Jesus with a question. He was an expert in the law, and he wanted to test Jesus.

"Teacher," he said, "what must I do to have eternal life?"

Jesus asked him, "What does the law say?"

The man answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself."

"Correct," said Jesus. "Do this and you will live."

But the man pressed further. "And who is my neighbour?"

Jesus sat down and told him a story.

The Dangerous Road

A man was travelling alone on the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho. It was a winding, rocky road that passed through wild hills and deep ravines — a road well known for bandits.

Sure enough, the traveller was attacked. Robbers jumped out from behind the rocks, beat him severely, took everything he had — his money, his clothes, even his sandals — and left him lying in the dirt, badly hurt.

The poor man could barely move. He lay at the side of the road, hoping and praying that someone would come.

Two Men Who Passed By

Before long, a priest came walking down the road. The injured man must have felt a surge of hope — surely a priest would help! But the priest saw the man, crossed over to the other side of the road, and kept walking.

Later, a Levite came — a temple worker who knew the scriptures well. He walked over, looked at the man lying there, and then he too crossed to the other side and walked on.

Two religious men had passed by. The hurt man was still alone.

The Unexpected Helper

Then a third traveller appeared on the road. He was a Samaritan — and in those days, Jewish people and Samaritans did not get along at all. The hurt man might not have expected much kindness from this stranger.

But when the Samaritan saw the injured man, his heart was filled with pity. He didn't hesitate for a moment.

He climbed down from his donkey and knelt beside the man. He poured soothing olive oil and wine on the wounds to clean them and help them heal. He wrapped the wounds carefully in bandages torn from his own cloth. Then he lifted the man gently onto his own donkey and walked beside it all the way to the nearest inn.

At the inn, the Samaritan stayed and looked after the man through the night. In the morning, he reached into his pocket and took out two silver coins — worth two full days' wages — and gave them to the innkeeper.

"Look after him," he said kindly. "If you spend more than this, I will pay you back when I return."

Then he continued on his journey.

The Answer

Jesus finished the story and turned back to the man who had asked the question.

"Which of these three," Jesus asked quietly, "do you think was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by robbers?"

The man answered, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus smiled. "Go," He said, "and do the same."