The Parable of the Good Samaritan

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The Parable of the Good Samaritan

A parable is a story with a meaning and Jesus told many parables to

convey the message about the Kingdom of God. One very significant

parable is the parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25). Jesus told

this parable in answer to a lawyer who asked Jesus, 'Who is my

neighbour?'

In this parable, a man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho when

robbers burgled him and beat him, leaving him half dead on the side of

the road. A priest was going down that same road, but when he saw the

man, he walked past on the other side of the road. Later, a Levite

came along on the same path but when he saw the man he also walked by,

on the other side. A Samaritan however, came upon the man and felt

pity for him. He poured oil and wine on the wounds and bandaged them.

He then carried the man onto his animal and took him to a nearby inn.

The next day, the Samaritan paid the inn keeper two silver coins and

told him to look after him and he promised that after he returned from

his journey, he would pay the inn keeper any extra expenses spent on

the wounded man.

After telling the lawyer the parable, Jesus asked him (verse 36) 'In

your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbour towards

the man?'

The man replied 'The one who was kind to him'.

Jesus said, 'Go then, and do the same.'

During that time Jews and Samaritans were enemies on the basis of

religion, but in this parable, the Samaritan looked beyond that and

helped the man, proving that there is no distinction between men when

it comes to the simple things in life. Jesus wanted to explain that

anyone and everyone is your neighbour irrespective of his religion,

race, or tribe. Generally accepted traditions or regulations should be

overlooked even when it is your enemy who needs help. Jesus also tries

to teach us that you should put others before yourself and not just

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