Luke 10:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As they are burdened by the afflictions of sin, you will heal them by applying a soothing salve to their wounds—through prophetic messages and teachings of the Gospel, caring for them with the doctrines and encouragements from both Testaments, urging them to turn away from sin and abandon the deceit of the devil. Should they persist in their waywardness, let your actions persuade them and your firm rebukes guide them: be an exemplar and a model—in speech, action, conversion, faith, love, and purity—so that they may reflect your life and emulate your virtuous conduct. If you do this and contribute your own efforts in word and deed, then all that you have expended beyond the two denarii will be recompensed to you upon my return. That is, at my second coming, I shall reward you suitably for your endeavors. Drawing on these assurances, Paul declares, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Corinthians 12:15), indicating his evangelistic efforts among the Gentiles and his ministerial service. He has been involved in establishing the church of God, offering spiritual counsel to all, supplying each individual with what they need, and guiding our souls towards eternal salvation. “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). He serves as the exemplary innkeeper, receiving and caring for everyone—he does not reject the immoral, the inebriated, the abrasive, nor does he turn away from thieves, nor neglect those ensnared by idolatry or any other wickedness, but he welcomes them all. Like a physician, he attends to their wounds, cleansing them through the rebirth of baptism, and fortifying them with sober admonitions, to safeguard against the grasp of sin and the destructive habits birthed out of ignorance. Following this healing comes his reassurance, which like oil nourishes our spirits: “I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, for your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). Therefore, as we prove our commitment as disciples of Paul, let us adhere to the commandments of Christ, lest we forfeit the heavenly Jerusalem and the city of the living God. And may we, after being restored from our bodily and spiritual afflictions, present ourselves to Christ in vibrant health and unwavering faith, intact and unscathed, flourishing in every righteous endeavor, and relish the promised blessings, grace, and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all generations. Amen. Addressing the parable of the fallen robber. Creations attributed to St. John Chrysostom and classified in the Minya edition as Spuria. “And on the next day, when he departed” (Nautriah eshed), that is, after the holy resurrection, “he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.” Who then is the innkeeper, and what do the two denarii signify? The innkeeper is Apostle Paul, appointed as the leader of the church among the Gentiles; he is called the innkeeper because he welcomes all and draws them towards salvation. Following His resurrection, Christ extracted two denarii, representing the Old Testament and the New Testament, and “gave them to the innkeeper, and said unto him, Take care of them; I entrust to you a people from the Gentiles, battered by the cruelest robbers; only take care of them; and anything you expend beyond that, I will recompense you at my return.” What did Paul expend beyond the denarii? The fourteen epistles delivered to the Gentiles. What does it signify, “when I return, I will repay you”? “At my second coming, when I come to judge the living and the dead, I shall give you what you have spent,” as Paul himself asserts: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). May we all receive such a crown through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom be glory and dominion to the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and through all ages. Amen. Referencing the parable in the Gospel of Luke, which states, “A certain man was traveling... and was ambushed by robbers.” Creations attributed to St. John Chrysostom and classified in the Minya edition as Spuria.

For this dedication, they will receive their reward upon the Lord’s return, at His second coming. At that moment, each one will proclaim, "Lord! You entrusted me with two denarii, and I have gained the other two." To them, He will respond, "Well done, good servant!"

Perhaps he is someone who proclaims, “I count all things as loss, that I might gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8). He accepts this currency to tend to the needs of an injured individual. There once was an innkeeper who declared, “Christ sent me to proclaim the Gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17). These innkeepers are those instructed to go into all the world and share the Gospel with every creature, promising that anyone who believes and is baptized will find salvation (Mark 16:15-16)—salvation from death and healing from the wounds inflicted by bandits.

Blessed indeed is the innkeeper! He has the ability to mend the wounds of others! Blessed is the one to whom Jesus says, “If you spend more, I will repay you upon my return.” The good steward is he who goes above and beyond. The apostle Paul embodies this goodness, as he poured forth his teachings and letters in abundance, surpassing what he himself had received. He diligently fulfilled the Lord's entrusted command with great mental and physical effort, healing many through words of profound spiritual insight. Thus, he stands as an excellent keeper of the inn where the donkey learned of his Lord’s feeding trough (Isaiah 1:3) and where the flocks of lambs are safeguarded from the menacing wolves lurking outside (Matthew 7:15).

The Lord assures that He will return what has been given. When will You return, O Lord, if not on the day of judgment? While You are omnipresent, perpetually among us though hidden from our sight, there will come a time when all flesh will witness Your arrival. At that moment, You will recompense those who have served. Happy are those whom You owe! How fortunate if we could count ourselves wealthy debtors! How admirable if we could repay what we have been given without seeking glory from our priestly or diaconal roles! How will You repay us, O Lord? You have promised a great reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12) but also the praise saying, “Well done, good servant! You were faithful in a little; I will give you much. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

The two denarii can also refer to two ways of understanding Scripture, namely the historical and the spiritual (κατὰἀναγωγήν). If you possess more than this, I will give it to you upon my return. This is if you are willing to make further personal contributions for his benefit. The teachers also enrich their teachings by providing extensive interpretations of the divine messages. They base their teachings on the two covenants, offering even greater assistance to those in need. The return of Christ refers to His second coming, when He will reward everyone accordingly.

During His time on Earth, the Lord Jesus was intimately connected to His Church, affirming this bond by saying, "When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name." Upon His departure from this world, He entrusted these two pieces of silver to the expansive universe through the teachings of the Apostles, granting them to all the shepherds of His Church and urging them to strive earnestly for the salvation of the faithful, "Be diligent unto him." Furthermore, He assured them that He would reward their efforts, diligence, and vigilance in caring for their flock when He returns to judge the living and the dead: "And if thou wait, I will repay thee when I return."

Possibly at the Lord's prompting and focusing on the latter commandment, he further inquired, "Who is my neighbor?" The Lord illustrated His answer through the parable of the Samaritan, which revealed that inherent compassion exists in everyone, even in the Samaritan, identifying all who are in need of assistance as our neighbors, regardless of their faith, status, or background.

His feelings of compassion and mercy transcended the prevailing animosity, prompting him to extend help that one would normally reserve for close kin: he cleansed the wounds with wine, soothed them with oil to alleviate the pain, and bandaged them; he placed the unfortunate man upon his donkey and transported him to the nearest inn, choosing to walk alongside. He tended to the sick man’s needs at the inn and, upon departing briefly, entrusted him to the innkeeper’s care, covering all expenses himself. This Samaritan grasped a profound truth, one that eluded the priest, the Levite, and the legal experts—that when it comes to compassion and mercy, there is no division between Samaritan, Jew, and Gentile; in this regard, all humanity stands equal, and everyone is our neighbor.

– It teaches us to love our adversaries and to be kind to those who oppose us (Luke 6:27). How does he care for the injured man? – He dedicates his time and resources, tends to his wounds, transports him to an inn, and pays the innkeeper to look after him. What does this example convey? – That we should not withhold our time, money, or effort for the sake of our neighbors. What is the message for each of us? – Go and do likewise. Who is the central figure in this parable? – Jesus Christ, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). How does the Savior motivate us to engage in acts of charity? – “And whosoever shall give one of these little ones a cup of cold water, in my name, shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).

The following scriptures are related to the parable of the Good Samaritan: “Thou shalt not turn away thy heart, neither shalt thou shut thy hand against thy brother in need” (Deuteronomy 15:7). “For whoever sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how can the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend without expecting to get anything back” (Luke 6:35). “Remember those who are in chains, as if you were bound with them; those who are mistreated, since you are also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). “The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me” (Job 29:13). “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). “Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it to me” (Matthew 25:40).