Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. Sixteen

The Parable of the Good Samaritan Teaches Two Essential Truths

The parable of the Good Samaritan answers two questions – The first is “what shall I do to inherit eternal life” and second is “who is my neighbor” (See Luke 10:25-37).  This parable is well known.  For example, in our society when a person comes to the aid of others they are often referred to as a “good Samaritan”.  (When I served in the Utah Legislature I sponsored the Utah Good Samaritan Act which gives legal immunity to modern day Good Samaritans)

This masterpiece is truly profound because Jesus answers the first question “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” by teaching the plan of salvation.  He also answers the second question “who is my neighbor” by painting an unforgettable word picture of a traveler, belonging to the entitled class, who fell among thieves and was rescued by a despised minority.

To experience the power of this parable we must focus on Jesus as the Good Samaritan who is our way to eternal life.  We also must remember our responsibility to personally be a “good Samaritan” especially to those who are different and outside our normal relationships.

“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” – Each element of the parable represents a corresponding doctrine of the plan of salvation with the primary focus on Jesus as our Redeemer:  

  • saw him = knew him

  • had compassion = pure love of Christ

  • went to him = succored him in his needs

  • bound up his wounds = atoned for his sins

  • poured in = gave Himself completely

  • oil = Holy Spirit

  • wine = atoning blood

  • inn = The Church of Jesus Christ

  • took care = Jesus personally cares for all

  • on the morrow = born again

  • the inn keeper = church leaders, men or women

  • when I come again = second coming

  • repay = rewards, eternal life

  • A man = every individual man or woman

  • went down = left pre-mortal existence

  • from Jerusalem = holy city, presence of God

  • to Jericho = in the desert, telestial world

  • fell = lost and fallen state

  • among thieves = Satan and his followers

  • striped him = lost knowledge of the plan

  • wounded him = sin

  • left him half dead = spiritual death

  • by chance = not by the original divine plan

  • priest and Levite = those without authority

  • passed by = lacked power to save

  • Samaritan = Jesus who was despised

“And who is my neighbor?” – Many elements of the parable also addresses our responsibility to personally be a good neighbor, especially to those who are despised or marginalized:

  • saw him = saw him as a brother/sister

  • had compassion = Christ like love

  • went to him = ministered to him/her

  • bound up his wounds = comforted him/her

  • poured in = gave quiet service

  • oil = offered sincere friendship

  • wine = gave appropriate temporal assistance

  • inn = the home and family

  • took care = members of the family give assistance as able

  • on the morrow = continue to minister as long as needed

  • the inn keeper = mother and/or father

  • when I come again = additional opportunities for service

  • repay = service brings blessings

  • A man = we are all brothers and sisters

  • went down = left their Heavenly Parents

  • from Jerusalem = in the premortal existence

  • to Jericho = mortality

  • fell = became subject to sin and death

  • among thieves = those who persecute others

  • striped him = rejected him/her

  • wounded him = abused him/her

  • left half dead = unable to do everything for themselves

  • by chance = one size fits all

  • priest and Levite = government aid

  • passed by = less effective

  • Samaritan = every person who reaches out to those in need

Testimony – The Lord is the Master Teacher. He uses this profound parable to teach that He is the Good Samaritan, that His atonement is central to the plan of salvation and it heals all wounds, that His Church and priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost have been restored, that our hearts and lives are changed by living His Gospel, and He will come again, and the faithful will be exalted.

The Lord also has inspired the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day to emphasize the need for everyone to have compassion, to seek to understand other people, to search out and minister to others, and to be “good Samaritans.”

I believe “that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).