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.