Explanation: Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan in response to the question of a lawyer about how to inherit eternal life. The answer was to love God completely and to love his neighbor as himself. But the lawyer, who wanted to justify himself, asked who his neighbor was. In reply, Jesus told him that a certain Samaritan helped his enemy, a Jew, to recover from a robbery and beating. The point was that love had to transcend divisions and enmity and be available even for a foe. It required a new heart which only God can give, as Jesus made clear on another occasion in response to a similar question about keeping the law (Luke 18:18-27; Mark 10:17-27; Matthew 19:16-26).

^{Luke 10:25-37      25} And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? how read you? ²⁷ And he answering said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself. ²⁸ And he said unto him, You have answered right: this do, and you shall live. ²⁹ But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? ³⁰ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ³⁴ And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again, I will repay you. ³⁶ Which now of these three, think you, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? ³⁷ And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do you likewise.

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