23: The parable of the Good Samaritan & Jesus and Martha (Luke 10:25 – 42)

They knew the law, but failed to grasp God’s intention in the law. And, to have fellowship with the Lord is more important than to work for the Lord.

👉 Read Luke 10:25 - 42

Q1. Why did the expert of the law ask, "Who is my neighbor?" (V29)

ANS: He wanted to justify what he was doing: claiming that he keeps the commandment while despising the Samaritans.

The debate “who is my neighbor?” arose because Bible teachers were trying to define the limits of obligation within the Law, especially from Leviticus 19:18. Since the command says “love your neighbor” and is tied to “your people,” it naturally raised a legal question: who exactly falls within that command, and who does not?

This question became more pressing when considered alongside Leviticus 19:34, which commands love for the foreigner. This created a tension: does “neighbor” remain within Israel, or does it extend beyond?

In a law-centered teaching culture, this kind of boundary-setting was normal. They sought to determine to whom they were responsible, and where that responsibility ended.

That is exactly the mindset Jesus confronts in Luke 10:29: not a lack of knowledge, but a desire to draw the line. And Jesus refuses to let the law be reduced to boundary-marking, shifting it instead to active mercy without self-defined limits.

Q2. When the priest and the Levite saw the man, what did they do? 

ANS: They went on the other side. 

They didn’t want to get involved in that incident. Selfish mind. Note that Jesus had them the religious workers. Probably, they didn’t want to defile themselves with the dead body, which is good. However, the goal of ministry is to take care of the soul so that they can see God's grace and glory, not merely performing religious rituals.

Q3. Find three places that show the Samaritans showing mercy. 

ANS: He took pity on him (v.33), putting him on his donkey (v.34) – he walked (the Samaritan took care of him with all his heart), and paid extra expenses for further treatment (v.35).

Q4. What was Jesus’ answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"?

ANS: “Be a neighbor to those in need” 

He asked the question to justify their hatred to the Samaritans, while ignoring God’s intention in giving the command of love to us: He wants us love even our enemies.

We often want define the term ‘neighbor’ and clarify what is our obligated duty. In doing so, we want to justify that we are doing well and to find some freedom from the obligation for that area that are not included in the definition of the term. For our own righteousness and pursuing own desires, any of both is evil.

We are not supposed to decide who your neighbor is—God decides. You are to become “the neighbor” (whom you need to show mercy toward) to anyone in need whom God puts around you, treating that person as your own, a fellow brother, and loving him or her as yourself.

To love is not to treat others according to their qualification, but to show mercy.

Q5. You might be busy doing many things for God. What is the most important thing? (v38-42)

ANS: Personal relationship with the Lord