re you a good neighbor? That’s the real point of this parable. It’s not

“who” is my neighbor (Luke 10:29), but am I a good neighbor towards

everyone, no matter who they are? Jesus was not limiting who one’s

neighbor is, but instead, be the kind of neighbor you ought to be towards

everyone you meet.

After telling the story, Jesus asked, “Which of these three, do you think,

proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” (Luke

10:36, ESV). The lawyer answered, “The one who showed him mercy. And

Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise’” (Luke 10:37, ESV).

The Samaritan shows considerable unselfishness. Look at four

unselfish deeds the Samaritan did for this wounded man:

First, he bound up his wounds. He may have shredded some of his

own clothing to make the bandages. He might have carried the oil

and wine for meal provisions or to supply his own injury needs, but

instead used them on this hurt man. Second, he set him on his own

beast, likely the one he had been riding himself. Third, he brought

him to an inn where they could find shelter and help. Usually, he

would spend the night outside and save the cost. But a wounded man

needed more adequate accommodations than a healthy traveler.

Fourth, he took care of him. He did not leave the man immediately.

He spent the rest of the day and night caring for this man. 1

There is nothing like having a fellow human being with you for

support and comfort.

To be compassionate is to be sympathetic toward someone. Out of the

Samaritan’s pity, he provided help. Being a good neighbor cares, even

when it costs.

The Samaritan went to the wounded man, poured oil and wine onto his

wounds, and bandaged him. He was practicing the golden rule (Matthew

7:12). He was doing for this man what he would have wanted someone to

do for him if he were in the same situation.