The following commentary is a summary and subjective interpretation of Luke 10:25 – 37.
All commentaries are based on the ESV translation.
Starting with verse 25, a lawyer stands up, attempting to test Our Lord. He addresses Christ as “Teacher” and then proceeds to question Him on how immortality can be obtained.
In verse 26, Christ returns with two other questions, asking what the law says and how the lawyer interprets it.
In verse 27, the lawyer’s response is (in summary) that we should love God with everything we have and in every available capacity while loving our neighbors just as we love ourselves.
In verse 28, Our Lord agrees with this, saying that this is how we should live if we wish to inherit eternal life.
In verse 29, we see the same lawyer wanting to justify himself and asking who his neighbor is.
In verse 30, as a response, Our Lord begins to tell a parable. It centers around a man who ventures to Jericho from Jerusalem before encountering thieves. These robbers remove his clothing and attack him before evacuating the scene. Following the attack, the man is in terrible shape.
In verse 31, a priest is introduced into the story. He ventures down the path, sees the man, and leaves without providing any assistance.
In verse 32, a Levite does likewise. This man walks past the beaten man, leaving him for dead.
In verse 33, a turn in the story takes place: One Samaritan finds the beaten man and upon seeing him, has compassion for the victim.
In verse 34, the Samaritan goes to the man before tending to his wounds with both wine and oil. Once he has assisted the man, the Samaritan places the man on his animal — possibly a camel — and proceeds to bring him to an inn and proceeds to look over the man there.
In verse 35, during the following day, the Samaritan pays the innkeeper, instructing him to care for the man and that the Samaritan will cover any added expenses the man has once the Samaritan returns.
In verse 36, Christ asks the lawyer which of the three men — the priest, Levite, or Samaritan — was a real neighbor to the man who was hurt.
In verse 37, rather than listing who the man was by race, the lawyer describes him as “The one who showed him mercy.” Christ responds with an instruction to mimic the Samaritan’s merciful actions.
Therefore, allow us to keep the Samaritan as a central example of our Christian living. His demonstration of mercy is how we should live in light of eternity. Let us not be preoccupied with the things or events of this world. Rather, let us live with an awareness of those around us with the Spirit of Christ and the heart of this fictional Samaritan. Pray that when we see our neighbors, we will stop and assist them as the hands of Christ.
Amen.