What Is the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
What Is the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Jesus told of a Samaritan who helped a beaten man after a priest and Levite passed by, teaching that love has no boundaries.
Key verse: Luke 10:33 (KJV)
Jesus told of a Samaritan who helped a beaten man after a priest and Levite passed by, teaching that love has no boundaries.
Jesus told of a Samaritan who helped a beaten man after a priest and Levite passed by, teaching that love has no boundaries.
"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)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
In Luke 10:25-37, a lawyer asked Jesus 'Who is my neighbour?' Jesus responded with the parable of a man robbed and beaten on the Jericho road. A priest and a Levite both passed by, but a Samaritan — despised by Jews — stopped to help, bandaging his wounds and paying for his care. Jesus asked which man was the true neighbour, teaching that love transcends ethnic, religious, and social barriers.
Key Scripture References
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him."
"And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
Frequently asked questions
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Related Questions
What Are the Parables of Jesus?
Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings that Jesus used to teach spiritual truths about God's kingdom.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible teaches that God is love, that He demonstrated love by sending His Son, and that love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
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The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:33 • Compassion & Love
Parable of the Good Samaritan Quiz
Jesus' answer to 'Who is my neighbour?' from Luke 10.
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25–37 • Compassion and Mercy
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Luke. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Luke on day 294 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Good Samaritan?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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