Keraia
Luke 10

Luke 10:33

The Parable of the Good Samaritan · Luke 10:25–37
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Translations

Modern
But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
Traditional
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Literal
But a certain Samaritan, journeying, came to him, and having seen, he was moved with compassion;
Latin
Samaritanus autem quidam iter faciens, venit secus eum: et videns eum, misericordia motus est.

Original

Greek
English
But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion.

Notes

Luke 10:33

a Samaritan: This unexpected change in the story probably surprised the listeners. Jews and Samaritans hated each other (see 9:52–53; 17:16; John 4:4–42). After Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, Assyrian settlers married Israelites who remained in Samaria. Their descendants became known as Samaritans.

Later, after the Judeans returned from Babylon, conflict grew between Jews and Samaritans (Ezra 4:1–24). The Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim. They also used their own version of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, as Scripture.

This hatred grew worse when the Jewish king John Hyrcanus attacked the Samaritans and destroyed their temple on Mount Gerizim. This happened around 128 BC. Because of this long hatred, no first-century Jew would expect a despised Samaritan to help a wounded Jew. But in God’s kingdom, a despised foreigner becomes a true neighbor who helps!

Luke 10:30–37

This parable shows that true neighbors love even their enemies (10:29). True faith is not based on a person’s ethnic background or religious group, but on loving God and loving others.

Theme notes and profiles

Compassionate Healer Social Justice

Events

Places

Samaria: Capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel; Samaritan inhabitants

Glossary

Adummim Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Compassion Imprecatory Psalms Jericho Jesus Christ Luke, Gospel of Neighbor New Commandment Parable Samaritans

Topics

Afflicted: Duty to The Beneficence: The Good Samaritan Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Compassion and Sympathy: Illustrated Duty of Man to Man Highways: Infested With: Robbers Jesus, the Christ: Answers a Biblical Expert Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Good Samaritan Lawyer: Test Jesus with Questions Liberality: The Good Samaritan Love of Man for Man Love: Exemplification of the Love of Man for Man Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of More Humane and Grateful than the Jews Neighbor: General Scriptures Concerning Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Samaritan Poor: Kindness to The Good Samaritan Samaria: Country of: The Good Samaritan From Select Readings: The Parable of the Good Samaritan Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning The Poor: Care For-Illustrated