A Bible Study on the Good Samaritan

The parable of the Good Samaritan begins with a lawyer testing Jesus. He asks Jesus:

“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus answers with a question:

“What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

The lawyer replies:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Jesus affirms his answer:

“You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:28)

But the lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asks a second question:

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

This question unveils the heart of the issue… not what love requires, but whom we are required to love. Jesus then tells one of the most well-known and misunderstood parables in Scripture.

The Story of the Samaritan

“Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.'” (Luke 10:30)

Jerusalem to Jericho was a dangerous road, descending 3,000 feet through rocky, barren wilderness. The man, who was likely a Jew, was attacked and left to die.

“Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.” (Luke 10:31)

A priest, a religious leader, a man who claims to be of righteousness, saw the man’s need and then walked away. Then came along a Levite:

“Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.” (Luke 10:32)

The Levite paused. He looked. But still, he moved on. Both of these religious figures, who were guardians of the temple, failed to show mercy. Perhaps they feared ritual defilement. Perhaps they simply did not care. But, either way, they left him.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.” (Luke 10:33)

To a Jewish audience, the word “Samaritan” would have been shocking. Samaritans were hated, considered impure and heretical. And yet this Samaritan, who was an outsider, became the hero of the parable.

“So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” (Luke 10:34)

He didn’t just feel compassion. He acted. He treated the wounds. He lifted the man. He gave up his ride. He brought him to shelter and paid the price for his recovery.

“On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'” (Luke 10:35)

The Samaritan gave sacrificially. He promised to return. He took personal responsibility for the injured man’s full restoration.

Who Then Is the Neighbor?

Jesus concludes the parable with a pointed question:

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” (Luke 10:36)

The lawyer cannot even bring himself to say “the Samaritan.” He replies:

“He who showed mercy on him.” (Luke 10:37)

Jesus then commands him:

“Go and do likewise.”

What is the meaning?

This parable does more than teach ethics. It reveals the heart of God. Jesus is the ultimate Samaritan. He was despised and rejected, yet He is full of compassion. He came to us when we were beaten and left for dead by sin. He poured out His own blood, carried us on His shoulders, and paid the full price for our restoration.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

Jesus didn’t pass by, He came down. He saw our suffering and He had compassion.

The True Meaning of Mercy

To “love your neighbor as yourself” is not a matter of proximity, ethnicity, or religion. It is a matter of mercy. Mercy looks beyond cultural and racial lines. Mercy sees the need and acts out of compassion. Mercy reflects the heart of God.

When we choose mercy, we preach the Gospel not just with words, but with our lives.

My Final Thoughts

The parable of the Good Samaritan is not a moral story about being nice. It is a direct indictment of hollow religion. The priest and the Levite represent those who claim righteousness, but they lack compassion. The Samaritan, hated by society, becomes the example of true neighborly love.

This parable also foreshadows the Gospel. Christ, the rejected One, came to save those left for dead. He binds our wounds, carries our burdens, and secures our healing. Not because we deserve it, but because He is merciful and loves His creation.

We are called to do likewise, not just merely helping those who are easy to love, but by reaching across every boundary to show the compassion of Christ… even to those who call themselves our enemies.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)