Parable of the Good Samaritan Łk 10, 25-37

Behold, a lawyer stood up and put Jesus to the test and asked, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him: What is written in the law? how do you read? « He said: 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." Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." But he, wanting to justify himself, asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Referring to this, Jesus said: "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They not only stripped him, but also wounded him, and leaving him half dead, departed. By chance a priest was passing this way; saw him and passed by. So the Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by. And a certain Samaritan, while traveling, also passed by him. When he saw him, he was deeply moved: he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; then he put him on his own beast, took him to an inn, and tended him. And the next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, Take care of him, and if you spend any more, I will repay you when I come back. Which of the three do you think was a neighbor to the one who fell into the hands of robbers? » He replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Issues and message

In this passage from the Gospel of St. Luke contains a reference to the most important divine commandment that Jesus left to people - the commandment of love. The love of God seems obvious to a religious man. The Gospel teaches love of neighbor and mercy. Neighbors are every man, brother, member of the great family that is humanity. This family should be united by love and a desire for good, regardless of whether this neighbor is a friend or an enemy. This love should be understood not as a verbal declaration or a slogan, but as deeds. The priest and the Levite, due to their knowledge of religious laws, should come to the aid of the wounded. Jewish law forbade the priest to touch the dead. They both follow ritual religious prohibitions, but they forget about the most important commandment - mercy and love of neighbor. They want to serve God well, but they do it in a mechanical way, according to the law, without distinguishing the importance of matters. The good of your neighbor should be more important.

Samaritans were people whom the Jews considered inferior, deprived of rights. This Samaritan is the only one who proves that he deserves to be called a neighbor. His deed is beautiful not only because he took care of a man, but also because he was moved by his fate, gave him spiritual support, helped him experience the hardships of suffering. This is what mercy is - bending over every human misfortune. The teaching of the parable is still valid and evokes reflection - can we be true neighbours?