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Luke 10:25-42
The parable of the good Samaritan 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt 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. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, 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. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. |
Margin notes:
"A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him." (10:25) - "A certain scribe stood up and tested Him." "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" (10:26) - "What is written in the Mosaic law? How do you interpret it?" "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God." (10:27) - The lawyer (scribe) is quoting from the Jewish Shema, Deuteronomy 6:5. Love "thy neighbor as thyself." (10:27) - As taught in Leviticus 19:18. "Willing to justify himself." (10:29) - "Wanting to justify himself." "A certain man." (10:30) - "A Jewish man." "Down from Jerusalem to Jericho." (10:30) - This was a dangerous seventeen mile stretch of road full of thieves and murderers. Romans called it the "red bloody way." "Levite." (10:32) - A Jewish religious order from the tribe of Levi (sons of Levi). From the age of twenty-five until fifty, male Levites served as assistants to the Temple priests (Numbers 3:5-9; 8:14-15;8:19; 8:24-25; Deuteronomy 18:5-7). They were everything from doorkeepers and musicians to "officers and judges," who read the Mosaic Law to the people during the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:9-11) and taught the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10; 2 Chronicles 17:8-9; Ezekiel 44:23). They were responsible for cleaning and guarding the Temple, preparing the showbread, helping the priest sacrifice animals, and examining lepers, among other chores (1 Chronicles 23:3-5; 23:24-32). To prepare for their duties, Levites cleansed themselves and their clothes, shaved all their body hair, and made an animal sacrifice (Numbers 8:6-8). As compensation for their service, they received tithes (Numbers 18:21). From this tithe, they turned over ten percent to the priests (Numbers 18:26). "Samaritan." (10:33) - As noted in reading 127, a Samaritan was one of the least likely people to help a Jew. "Oil and wine." (10:34) - The wine acted as an antiseptic, and the oil helped heal wounds. "The host." (10:35) - "The innkeeper." " As they went." (10:38) - Remember, they are on their way to Jerusalem. "A certain village." (10:38) - This is Bethany, a small village located on the eastern slope of Mount of Olives" about fifteen furlongs" (two miles) east of Jerusalem (John 11:18). Jesus often stayed in Bethany when visiting nearby Jerusalem (Matthew 21:17) and performed one of His greatest miracles there, raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44; John 12:1). Bethany is now called el-Azariyeh (place of Lazarus) or simply Lazariyeh. "Martha." (11:38) - Lazarus' sister (John 11:1) and follower of Jesus. To read Lazarus' remarkable story, see John 11:1-44. Here, Martha is gently scolded by Jesus for being to busy in the kitchen to listen to His message. "Mary." (10:39) - Martha and Lazarus' sister. One of seven Mary's mentioned in the New Testament. Her faith was such that she didn't believe Lazarus would have died had Jesus been there (John 11:32). Later, Mary will anoint Jesus' feet (John 12:3). "Martha was cumbered about much serving." (10:40) - "Martha was burdened with serving dinner." This was not the only time Jesus dined with Martha and Mary (John 12:2). "Bid her therefore that she help me." (10:40) - "Tell her to help me." "Careful and troubled about many things." (10:41) - "Worried and upset about many things." "But one thing is needful." (10:42) - "There is but one necessary thing." And it isn't preparing meals. "Mary hath chosen that good part." (10:42) - "Mary has picked what is best." Listening to the word of God, learning from Jesus. |