What Is the Parable of the Good Samaritan — In Biblical Context
The Good Samaritan is Jesus' story of a despised outsider who showed mercy to a wounded stranger, revealing what it truly means to love your neighbour.
The Good Samaritan is Jesus' story of a despised outsider who showed mercy to a wounded stranger, revealing what it truly means to love your neighbour.
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him." — Luke 10:33 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
A lawyer asked Jesus, 'Who is my neighbour?' In response Jesus told of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who was attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left half dead. A priest passed by on the other side. A Levite looked and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan — hated by Jews — had compassion. He bound the man's wounds, brought him to an inn, and paid for his care. Jesus asked: 'Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?' The lawyer answered, 'He that shewed mercy on him.' Jesus said, 'Go, and do thou likewise.' The parable shatters ethnic and religious boundaries. True neighbour-love is active mercy to anyone in need, regardless of background.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Luke 10:33, sits inside Luke 10. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him."
Supporting Passages
"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."
"And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
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