Jesus
answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
Luke 10:30-32
Luke 10 [29.] But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10 [30.] Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”
Luke 10 [37.] He said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Meaning:
A lawyer has asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” hoping to limit the command to love his neighbour as himself (Luke 10:25-29). Jesus answers with a story. These verses set the scene of the parable of the Good Samaritan: a man left for dead, and two respected religious men who see him and walk past. The Samaritan who stops and helps follows in the next verses (Luke 10:33-37).
- “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho”
The road from Jerusalem down to Jericho fell about a thousand metres over roughly twenty-seven kilometres, winding through dry, rocky wilderness. Its bends and caves made it a well-known place for bandits. Jesus’ hearers would have pictured the danger at once. The man is not described at all: not his nation, his religion or his status. He is simply a human being in need, which is the point of the story.
- “he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him”
The robbers took everything, even his clothes, and left him “half dead.” Stripped and unconscious, he could not be identified by his dress or his speech. Whoever passed by would have to decide whether to help a stranger whose background was unknown.
- “By chance a certain priest was going down that way.”
A priest served in the temple at Jerusalem, and many priests lived in Jericho. If anyone should show God’s mercy, it was surely he. Yet “when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.” Jesus gives no reason. Perhaps the priest feared the robbers were still near. Perhaps he feared ritual defilement, since the law said that “he who touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days” (Numbers 19:11). Whatever his reason, keeping himself safe and clean mattered more to him than the life of the man in the road.
- “In the same way a Levite also”
Levites assisted the priests in the temple. This Levite went further than the priest: he “came to the place, and saw him.” He looked closely, and then he too crossed over and went on. Two men who knew the law, and whose work was the worship of God, failed to love their neighbour. Through Hosea God had said, “For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6), words Jesus himself quoted (Matthew 9:13).
The Significance of Luke 10:30-32
- Religion without mercy
The priest and the Levite show that religious position and knowledge are no substitute for compassion. Worship that does not lead to love for people in need is empty.
- Seeing is not enough
Both men saw the wounded man. Seeing need brings a choice. John asks of anyone who “sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?” (1 John 3:17).
- Excuses on the other side of the road
It is easy to find reasons not to get involved: danger, time, cost or rules. Jesus’ story invites listeners to ask honestly where they stand on that road.
Cross-References:
Hosea 6:6: "For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice;" God values mercy above ritual.
Micah 6:8: "to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" What God requires.
1 John 3:17: "But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?" Love that acts.
James 2:15-16: Faith that offers only words to the needy is of no use.
Conclusion: Jesus begins his answer to the question “Who is my neighbor?” with a man robbed and left half dead on the dangerous road to Jericho. A priest and a Levite, men devoted to the temple, see him and pass by on the other side. Their failure shows that knowledge of the law and religious duty without mercy fall short of God’s command to love.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible