This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Luke 10:25-37, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
There was a lawyer who stood up to put Jesus to the test and asked a tricky question. He told Jesus, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus asked him what was written in the Law, and the man said, “You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus told him that he was correct and that he should do these things to live forever.
But the man, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus then told a story about a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.
It was a long and dangerous road that many people avoided because robbers often attacked travelers. Unfortunately, this man fell among robbers, who beat him up and took all of his things. They left him half dead lying on the side of the road, hurt and helpless.
A little while later, a priest walked by, saw the hurt man, and crossed to the other side of the road to avoid him. Then a Levite, who was also supposed to be a good person, came by, looked at the man, and passed by on the other side of the road too.
Finally, a Samaritan, who the people didn’t like because he was from a different place, came by and saw the hurt man. He felt very sorry for him and helped him. He cleaned up his wounds with oil and wine, put him on his donkey, and took him to an inn where he could rest. The Samaritan even paid for him to stay at the inn and told the innkeeper to take good care of him.
When Jesus finished telling the story, he asked the man who had asked him the tricky question, “Which of these three men was the hurt man’s neighbor?” The man answered, “The one who helped him.” Jesus then said, “You go and do the same.”
Biblical Lessons
- We should love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
- Our neighbor is not only the person who lives next to us but anyone who needs our help.
- We should treat others the way we want to be treated, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or social status.
Related Stories
Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath
Must-Read Christian Books
Knowing God
A classic that helps believers move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him in a personal and biblical way.
View on Amazon
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
Faith Alone
Defends justification by faith alone as the heart of the biblical gospel and Reformation.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Trellis and the Vine
A vision for church ministry centered on disciple-making rather than mere structures and programs.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
All of Grace
A simple, powerful explanation of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Preaching
A standard textbook on preaching that shows how to proclaim Christ from all of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
A call to radical, everyday hospitality as a means of gospel witness and discipleship.
View on Amazon
Gentle and Lowly
Meditates on Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers from key biblical texts.
View on Amazon
Religious Affections
Examines the nature of true spiritual experience and the marks of genuine conversion.
View on Amazon
Operation World
A prayer handbook with up-to-date information on nations and their gospel needs.
View on Amazon
Counterfeit Gods
Exposes modern idols of the heart and points to Christ as our true treasure.
View on Amazon
Idols of the Heart
Helps believers identify and repent of heart-idols through the lens of Scripture.
View on Amazon