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what was the common understanding of 'neighbor' and 'enemy' in jesus' time among jews?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Luke 10:27

“He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."”

This passage is from the Gospel of Luke, where a lawyer tests Jesus by asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by asking the lawyer to summarize the law, leading to this well-known command.

What does it mean for us to truly love our neighbor as ourselves, especially when 'neighbor' might challenge our assumptions?

Then — the setting

In Jesus' time (1st century CE), among various Jewish groups, the understanding of 'neighbor' (Hebrew: *rea'*, Greek: *plēsion*) generally referred to a fellow Israelite or an alien residing within the community who was committed to the covenant. This was rooted in Old Testament law. The concept of 'enemy' was more complex; it could refer to foreign nations oppressing Israel, or even internal adversaries. While there was a strong ethical demand for justice and care within the covenant community, the extent to which this love extended to those outside or actively hostile was a point of debate, particularly among groups like the Pharisees or the Qumran community, who might have interpreted these boundaries more strictly.

Across the Testaments

The command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' is a direct quotation from the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18). In the Old Testament, the primary context for 'neighbor' was often within the Israelite community, emphasizing ethical behavior and communal responsibility. The New Testament, particularly through Jesus' teachings, reaffirms this command but significantly expands its scope, notably in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus challenges the common restrictive interpretations of 'neighbor,' implying that love is not limited by ethnicity, religion, or social standing, and even extends to those traditionally considered adversaries. The Old Testament provided the foundation; the New Testament offers a radical re-interpretation and expansion of its application.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Leviticus 19:18
This Old Testament verse is the origin of the command to love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 5:43-44
Jesus explicitly challenges the 'hate your enemy' interpretation while expanding the command to love.
Luke 10:29-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan directly answers the question 'Who is my neighbor?' with a radical example.

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