Parable That Founded the Phrase ‘Good Samaritan’ by Myra Kahn Adams for Town Hall
Thanks for joining our study. Today we explore the biblical basis for the common phrase “good Samaritan.” Most likely, you have heard the words used to describe someone who unexpectedly helps a stranger in their time of need.
However, unless you are a Bible reader, you might not know that the phrase is based on a parable (teaching story) told by Jesus. Therefore, we will read the verses to garner an understanding of the context and broader meaning of the Good Samaritan found only in the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37). The story begins:
“On one occasion an expert in the [Jewish] law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
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“‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?'”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
“‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'” (Luke 10: 25-29).
Without missing a beat — proving that Jesus is the master communicator — He replied to the wise guy lawyer:
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
