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what was the common understanding of 'neighbor' among jews before this parable?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Luke 10:29-37

But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, 'Take care of him, and whatever you spend more, I will repay you when I return.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

This passage is from Luke's Gospel, where Jesus is teaching about the greatest commandments: loving God and loving your neighbor. A lawyer asks Jesus to clarify who exactly qualifies as his 'neighbor,' seeking to define the limits of his responsibility.

How does Jesus' story challenge us to look beyond our assumed boundaries of 'neighbor' and responsibility?

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Read alongside it

  • Leviticus 19:18

    This is the primary Old Testament command to 'love your neighbor as yourself,' which the lawyer refers to.

  • Matthew 5:43-44

    Jesus explicitly extends the command to love even enemies, further broadening the concept of 'neighbor'.

  • Romans 13:8-10

    Paul reiterates that love fulfills the law, including the command to love one's neighbor.

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