Parable of the Man Who Fell Among Thieves
Luke 10:29-37
But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?…


1. By the man that went from Jerusalem to Jericho, I understand is meant fallen man, who originally in the first Adam went from God.

2. By "falling among thieves," may be meant that mischief and misery which hath befallen man by sin, Satan, and other enemies of the soul.

3. By "stripping him of his raiment," may be meant all our first or original righteousness. Righteousness being often compared to raiment, or to a garment.

4. By "wounding him," may be intended that sad and fearful privation of the soul in every faculty thereof by sin.

5. By "leaving him half dead," may be meant the spiritual death of the soul, which is half, nay the better half of the man.

6. By "the priest passing that way and going on one side," may be meant, the law or priesthood of Aaron; by the Levite may be meant legal sacrifices, and by their both passing by, and not pitying or helping this poor distressed man, may signify that there is no help, no cure, no salvation by the law, nor sacrifices of the law, for undone sinners.

7. By "the Samaritan," I understand is meant our Lord Jesus Christ, who is said to pass by and see us in our blood — "Now as I passed by, I looked upon thee, and saw thee polluted in thy own blood" (Ezekiel 16:6, 8). This was a blessed lock indeed, a look of pity and compassion — "When he saw him, he had compassion on him." "And he went to him," which may refer to two things.

(1)  To Christ's coming into the world to assume our nature.

(2)  It may refer also to His gracious coining to a wounded sinner by His Word and Spirit, in helping him to apply the virtue of His own precious blood to his wounded soul.

8. Binding up his wounds, and pouring in oil and wine, may be meant, Christ infusing of His Spirit and precious grace into his soul; grace, as well as the Holy Spirit, being compared to oil.

(B. Keach.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

WEB: But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"




Parable of the Good Samaritan
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