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
The Knowledge of the Holy
Short, powerful meditations on the attributes of God that lift the reader into a bigger, more biblical view of who He is.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
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
Living the Cross-Centered Life
A call to keep Christ's cross at the center of our thinking, worship, and daily living.
View on Amazon
The Enemy Within
A modern, accessible summary of John Owen's teaching on indwelling sin and the believer's battle.
View on Amazon
The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Trusting God
Encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Leadership
Biblical principles for godly leadership in the church, home, and workplace.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Delighting in the Trinity
A joyful, readable introduction to the triune God and why His tri-unity is good news.
View on Amazon
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Puritan classic on learning contentment in God in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Shows how the gospel frees us from self-obsession to live in joy and service.
View on Amazon
The Peacemaker
Biblical principles for resolving conflict in a way that honors Christ and reconciles people.
View on Amazon