Reading outline · Parable
The Samaritan and the injured traveller
A legal expert asks about eternal life and then asks who counts as a neighbour.
This outline follows the main passages. Open each reading to follow the story in full.
In this outline
A question about a neighbour
A legal expert asks about eternal life and then asks who counts as a neighbour.
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with …
On the road
Jesus tells of a wounded traveller whom a Samaritan aids after other travellers pass by.
Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on …
The question returned
Jesus asks which traveller acted as a neighbour. The answer centres on mercy.
Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Places in this story
Jerusalem Jericho areaSources & reading notes
Introductions and explanations are editorial writing. Quoted text retains its named edition; selections may be shortened with an ellipsis.
A question about a neighbour. Editorial summary of the cited text; narrative setting is not independent historical confirmation. Source ↗
On the road. Editorial summary of the cited text; narrative setting is not independent historical confirmation. Source ↗
The question returned. Editorial summary of the cited text; narrative setting is not independent historical confirmation. Source ↗
Original scene outline
A question about a neighbour
A legal expert asks about eternal life and then asks who counts as a neighbour.
On the road
Jesus tells of a wounded traveller whom a Samaritan aids after other travellers pass by.
The question returned
Jesus asks which traveller acted as a neighbour. The answer centres on mercy.