Luke 10:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider the parable shared by the Lord; He didn’t point out the Jew but highlighted the compassion of the Samaritan. This teaches us that we ought to extend our care to all, offering kindness indiscriminately, rather than limiting our goodwill to those we favor in faith while neglecting others. Likewise, when you notice someone in distress, do not concern yourself with their background; their suffering itself grants them the right to your assistance. Just as you would help a donkey in distress without questioning ownership, you should extend the same grace to a person, regardless of whether they are a Gentile or a Jew. Even those deemed unbelievers deserve aid when they are in need.

Therefore, the One who has brought healing to our wounds is nearest to us. Let us cherish Him as our Lord and also as our neighbor—nothing is closer than the head to the members of the body. Additionally, let us extend our love to those who emulate Christ, to those who show compassion towards the frailty of others due to their shared humanity. Kinship alone does not define a neighbor; rather, it is mercy that truly connects us, for mercy is woven into the very fabric of our nature. It is intrinsic to humanity to assist those who share in our kind.

Which of these three do you believe acted as a neighbor to the man who was attacked? He replied, "The one who showed him compassion." The expression "with him" indicates "toward him." Jesus then instructed him, "Go, and do the same." Care for those in need. For anyone who fails to act in this manner does not truly love their neighbor as themselves, and anyone who does not love their neighbor as themselves does not love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27), which encapsulates the intensity and essence of love.

Following this clarification, the lawyer inquired, "Who is my neighbor?" He questioned, "Which of the three men appears to be the neighbor to the one who was attacked? Is it the priest or the Levite, who, upon seeing him stripped, injured, and barely clinging to life, chose to walk past? Or is it the Samaritan, who displayed profound compassion and kindness?"

As the apostles spread the Gospel in various towns, the Lord once again encountered the Pharisees, fielding their inquiries and responding with clarity, while denouncing their deceit, hypocrisy, arrogance, and self-interest. In one instance, a lawyer approached Him asking, “What must I do to be saved?” The Lord's response was, “What does the law require of you?” The lawyer replied that it is to love God and neighbor. This succinctly encapsulated the entire law into two commandments. The Lord affirmed the lawyer’s answer and urged him to ensure he adhered to these commandments.

The legal expert who tested Jesus recognized this truth; however, his pride as a Jew impeded him from acknowledging the Samaritan as a neighbor to the Jewish man who had been attacked by thieves. When Jesus inquired which of the three acted as a neighbor to the victim, he replied, “The one who demonstrated mercy.” Jesus then instructed him, “Go, and you likewise should show compassion to everyone, without exception, for in doing so alone can you hope for Eternal Life.”

Jesus Christ posed a question to the lawyer, asking, “Which of these three was a neighbor to the man who fell among thieves?” The lawyer, aware of the answer, struggled to acknowledge that neither Samaritans nor Gentiles could be considered neighbors in his mind. Lacking the fortitude to say “Samaritan,” he instead offered the feeble response, “the one who showed him mercy.” Christ replied, “Go and do likewise.”

"Who among these three is the neighbor?" This is the identical inquiry posed by the scribe seeking to vindicate himself before the Savior, although the parable provides such a clear explanation that there is only one evident and logical response. However, it is certainly not the reply the scribe anticipated, as he looked down upon individuals like the Samaritan and did not regard him as his neighbor.