“He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Luke 10:37 (KJV)

The story

A certain lawyer stood up and tempted Jesus, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus turned the question back on him: What is written in the law? how readest thou? The lawyer answered correctly, quoting the command to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Jesus said, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. Luke 10:25-28

But the man was not finished. Willing to justify himself, he asked, And who is my neighbour? It sounds like a request for information, but it is really a request for a boundary, a line marking who he is not required to love. Instead of drawing that line, Jesus tells a story. A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:29-30

By chance there came down a certain priest that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. Both men were religious workers, both saw the wounded man, and both chose distance. The Levite even came and looked before walking away, which makes his refusal more deliberate, not less. Luke 10:31-32

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. Samaritans and Jews despised one another, so the hero of the story is the last person the lawyer would have chosen. He bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he gave the host two pence and promised to repay whatever more was spent. Then Jesus asked which of the three was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves. The lawyer could not even say the word Samaritan; he answered, He that shewed mercy on him. Jesus said, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:33-37

Quiz

1. Why did the lawyer stand up and ask his question?

   • He was seeking comfort
   • He tempted Jesus
   • He had been sent by the priests
   • He wanted to join the disciples

2. How did Jesus first answer the lawyer's question?

   • With a story
   • With a rebuke
   • By asking what was written in the law
   • By quoting the prophets

3. What did Jesus say after the lawyer quoted the law correctly?

   • Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live
   • Thou art not far from the kingdom
   • Go and learn what that meaneth
   • Thou hast said

4. Why did the lawyer ask, And who is my neighbour?

   • He was confused by the law
   • He was willing to justify himself
   • He wanted to help someone
   • He had forgotten the answer

5. What did the thieves leave the man?

   • His clothing
   • His beast
   • Half dead
   • A message

6. What did the Levite do that the priest did not?

   • He came and looked on him first
   • He called for help
   • He crossed the road twice
   • He left money

7. What moved the Samaritan to act?

   • Duty
   • Fear of the law
   • He had compassion on him
   • A reward

8. How did the Samaritan carry the wounded man?

   • On a cart
   • He set him on his own beast
   • He carried him on his back
   • He sent for a servant

9. What did the Samaritan promise the host?

   • To send a servant back
   • To pray for him
   • Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee
   • To bring the man's family

10. How did the lawyer answer Jesus' closing question?

    • He that shewed mercy on him
    • The Samaritan
    • The priest
    • He would not answer