Luke 10:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What does it signify when we say, "He bound his wounds"? It conveys that He restrained the adversary and liberated humanity; He secured the vessel (the foe) and salvaged the damaged craft; He conquered and subdued the malignant forces, freeing mankind. Nonetheless, we might consider an additional interpretation, so listen closely. The mixture of wine and oil symbolizes comfort; the oil represents a message of solace, while the wine, which has a binding quality, reflects teachings that unite the fragmented soul, echoing the Apostle’s exhortation, "reprove, rebuke, exhort" (2 Tim. 4:2). He lifted the wounded Samaritan onto his own donkey, indicating that Christ took on our human nature upon His divine shoulders and carried it to His Father in glory.

He promptly tended to the wounds, preventing the condition from worsening by binding it up. The oil represents the doctrine that fosters virtue through the promise of rewards, while the wine symbolizes a teaching that urges virtue through a sense of fear. Thus, when you hear the Lord’s call: “Come unto Me, and I will comfort you” (Matthew 11:28), this is the oil, for it embodies mercy and consolation. Similarly, the invitation, “Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matt. 25:34), conveys the same soothing message. However, when the Lord states, “Go ye into darkness” (Matt. 25:41), this serves as the wine, indicating the seriousness of the teaching.

He tended to his wounds by applying oil and wine. This Divine Healer possesses numerous remedies for restoration. His remedy is the Word. One aspect of His Word binds wounds, while another soothes them with oil; another applies wine, which signifies purification and judgment. The stringent commandments bind the wounds, while the grace of forgiveness provides solace. He placed the wounded man on His donkey. Observe how He carries you on His donkey: He bears our transgressions and endures our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). The Good Shepherd carries the lost sheep upon His shoulders (Luke 15:5), reflecting humanity's analogy to livestock (cf. Ps. 48:13). Thus, He has taken us upon His donkey, so that we do not resemble a horse or a mule (Ps.

And approaching, he treated his injuries, wrapping them with teachings. By applying the oil of compassion and the wine of judgment, he combines gentleness and severity. His instructions are both gentle and comforting in one place, while in another, they cauterize and wound, thus providing benefits on both sides. He placed the man upon his donkey, representing the body meant for suffering, signifying that he bore our weaknesses through his experience of humanity. He brought him to an inn, which symbolizes the Church of the faithful, as it welcomes the entirety of mankind. He cared for him, revealing the Divine Providence at work in his life.

Samaritan refers to the only begotten Son and Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Jews labeled as a Samaritan: “Thou art a Samaritan, and thou hast a demon” (John 8:48). This promised One, who emerged from the depths of the Father while remaining in perfect unity with Him, entered into the world to witness the plight of humanity and was moved with compassion. What, then, does this act of compassion signify? For “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His own mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

As the Lord entered the towns where the apostles proclaimed the Gospel, He once again engaged with the Pharisees, fielding their inquiries and responding by condemning their deceitfulness, hypocrisy, pride, and self-interest. In one encounter, a lawyer posed the question, "What must I do to be saved?" The Lord responded, "What does the law require of you?" The lawyer replied that it is to love God and one's neighbor. This succinctly encapsulated the entirety of the law into two fundamental commandments. The Lord affirmed the correctness of this answer and urged the lawyer to commit himself to living out these commandments. In his conceit, the lawyer aimed to demonstrate not only his knowledge of the law but also his adherence to it.

The Parable of the Compassionate Samaritan

In response to this inquiry, Jesus shared an incredible parable. As a priest journeyed along the road, he encountered a man lying there, barely holding onto life, stripped of clothing, injured, and bleeding; yet, the minister of the Lord did not pause to assist him and simply walked by. A Levite soon came along, approached the man, examined him out of mere curiosity, and continued on his way. Then a Samaritan passed by and noticed the sufferer. The Samaritan, who was looked down upon by the Jews, fully aware that no Jewish person would offer him aid, came upon a wounded and dying Jew; moved by deep compassion, he put aside societal animosity and extended help that only one's closest kin would provide.

He approached the afflicted individual, showed compassion, tended to his injuries, placed him upon his donkey, and walked alongside him on the arduous, scorching, dusty, and perilous path. He remained with him until he had ensured his complete safety and even graciously attended to his future requirements.

‘Anointing with oil and wine,’ substances commonly utilized for their healing properties, alleviating pain from injuries and facilitating recovery. ‘Two denarii’ (refer to Matthew 18:28): approximately 40 kodrants. It is clear that the Samaritan was not affluent, which adds significant depth to the compassion of his actions. ‘Look after him’: he not only tends to the injured man himself but also assigns others to provide care, offering payment for their assistance. Overall, the private deeds of the Samaritan are portrayed in such a manner that elevates the significance of his noble act beyond that of the bandit who was apprehended.