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The Parable of the Good Samaritan
WELCOME TO THE SUMMER SERIES WEDNESDAY!
This year, unlike past years, the Cottage Summer special is open to everyone (paid and free) as a gift to nurture your spirit this Pentecost season.
In addition to these Wednesday posts on the parables in A Beautiful Year, paid subscribers have access to weekly live conversations during Parables & Pentecost.
Today, we explore the story of the Good Samaritan in our summer series on parables and Pentecost.
I invite you to read and reflect on this well-known parable. How do you feel about this story? Where are you in the story? Does this parable challenge you — and us — at this moment in history?
Today’s excerpt is from the audiobook version of A Beautiful Year, “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” If you are reading the book, it is found on pages 226-232; in the e-book, this parable is in the Pentecost section.
(You can order A Beautiful Year as an audiobook, an e-book, or in hardcover. Please click here for ordering and format options.)
Listen, read, and enjoy. Explore the suggestions below for further reflection and understanding — as you choose.This isn’t a homework assignment! This is an invitation and a guide. Think about all three questions or pick one. Leave comments and observations. Read the comments of others and learn from the community. Reply to each other. I’ll jump into the thread a few times during the day.
Ask questions, wonder together.
THE STORY
The parable itself is found only in Luke 10: 25-37:
Then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’
Jesus replied,
‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
WHAT IS THIS STORY ABOUT?
How would you explain this story to someone who had never heard it before? What’s the point? Is there more than one point?
Do you like the story? Do you not like it? Does it puzzle you? Anger you? Make you resentful? What emotions does it stir? Be honest!
THE STORY AND YOUR STORY
Below is a download of the late John August Swanson’s triptych, “Good Samaritan.”
The triptych is followed by close-ups of the three panels. Swanson first painted the Good Samaritan in 1970. This version was done 32 years later, repainting it as a mature work in a story that he felt called to revisit: “It is remarkable that one can discover many new ideas in an old and familiar story. Sometimes it is necessary to take a long journey to rediscover earlier creative ideas that are so personal and connected to one’s history.”
WHAT DOES THIS STORY MEAN TO YOU NOW?
A few questions to consider: Have you ever been a good Samaritan? One of the passers-by? Or, have you been the person in the ditch?
Do you resonate with John Swanson’s experience of revisiting an “old and familiar story”?
How has your understanding of this story changed over the years? What stands out for you differently today than at other times in your life? As you re-read it or listen to my reflections on it, what surprises you? Is there something you’ve never noticed before?
THE STORY AND OUR STORY
Last Friday, John Dominic Crossan joined with the paid subscriber community in an online conversation about the parables. We focused on how the parables challenged empire, how they present an alternative to Christian nationalism, and how they widen our vision toward evolutionary — and revolutionary — possibilities for a sustainable, non-violent future for humankind.
In his book, The Power of Parable, Crossan wrote:
My conclusion is that the Good Samaritan was not intended by Jesus as a simple example story, a straightforward moral lesson, a positive paradigm for compassionate behavior. The story presumes that compassionate help is the proper response…. Rather, it is better understood as a challenge parable, a story that challenges listeners to think long and hard about their social prejudices, their cultural presumptions, and, yes, even their most sacred religious traditions.
HOW DOES THIS PARABLE CHALLENGE YOU — AND US — AT THIS SPECIFIC MOMENT IN HISTORY?
What do you think about Crossan’s view of the Good Samaritan? Does it resonate with my reflection? With your experience?
Would you rather this be a “simple example story” or, as Crossan suggests, a challenge? What is most challenging for you? For our communities? What’s the challenge for NOW?
What does this parable say to the global rise of authoritarianism and Christian nationalism?
INSPIRATION
An example parable may be good, a challenge parable is a far more importantly subversive operation. Why? Because challenge parables humble our prejudicial absolutes, but without proposing counter-absolutes in their place. They are tiny pins dangerously close to big balloons. They push or pull us into pondering whatever is taken totally for granted in our world. — John Dominic Crossan
People say you should be a good Samaritan.You can’t.Samaritans were despised outsiders.Good or not,you have too much privilege to be a Samaritan.That’s for the queers, the immigrants,the trans, the blacks, the homeless.
You can be good, you can be generous to strangers,even to your enemy.But you are not the hero of this story. You can’t be.
You’re the one in the ditch. Your neighbor is the other one.You call them rapists and they pick your fruit.You call them shiftless and dangerousand they build your economy.You abhor them and they bless you.
Stop making it about you.Confess your dependence.Receive your neighbor’s grace.Be humbly grateful.Let yourselves be neighbors.— Steve Garnaas-Holmes, “Good Samaritan”
On the parable of the Good Samaritan: I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
That’s the question before you tonight. Not, “If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to my job. Not, “If I stop to help the sanitation workers what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?” The question is not, “If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?” The question is, “If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?” That’s the question.
Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. ― Martin Luther King Jr., “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” April 3, 1968
If you are financially able, please consider supporting The Cottage as a paid subscriber.
Thank you.
PARABLES AND PENTECOSTAn Online Conversation with Paid Subscribers
On Friday, June 5, at 3PM Eastern, I’m hosting a live “questions and conversation” gathering here at the Cottage for paid subscribers.
I’ll share more about the six parables in A Beautiful Year — and then there will be an open mic question time. There’s no guest speaker. Just me and you.
It is a great chance to chat about what’s on our minds and hearts. You can ask me anything.
A zoom link will be sent to all paid subscribers on Friday, June 5 about two hours before we gather online.
If you can’t attend live, a recording of the conversation will be sent to all paid subscribers within 24 hours following the gathering.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dianabutlerbass.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Diana Butler BassWELCOME TO THE SUMMER SERIES WEDNESDAY!
This year, unlike past years, the Cottage Summer special is open to everyone (paid and free) as a gift to nurture your spirit this Pentecost season.
In addition to these Wednesday posts on the parables in A Beautiful Year, paid subscribers have access to weekly live conversations during Parables & Pentecost.
Today, we explore the story of the Good Samaritan in our summer series on parables and Pentecost.
I invite you to read and reflect on this well-known parable. How do you feel about this story? Where are you in the story? Does this parable challenge you — and us — at this moment in history?
Today’s excerpt is from the audiobook version of A Beautiful Year, “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” If you are reading the book, it is found on pages 226-232; in the e-book, this parable is in the Pentecost section.
(You can order A Beautiful Year as an audiobook, an e-book, or in hardcover. Please click here for ordering and format options.)
Listen, read, and enjoy. Explore the suggestions below for further reflection and understanding — as you choose.This isn’t a homework assignment! This is an invitation and a guide. Think about all three questions or pick one. Leave comments and observations. Read the comments of others and learn from the community. Reply to each other. I’ll jump into the thread a few times during the day.
Ask questions, wonder together.
THE STORY
The parable itself is found only in Luke 10: 25-37:
Then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’
Jesus replied,
‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
WHAT IS THIS STORY ABOUT?
How would you explain this story to someone who had never heard it before? What’s the point? Is there more than one point?
Do you like the story? Do you not like it? Does it puzzle you? Anger you? Make you resentful? What emotions does it stir? Be honest!
THE STORY AND YOUR STORY
Below is a download of the late John August Swanson’s triptych, “Good Samaritan.”
The triptych is followed by close-ups of the three panels. Swanson first painted the Good Samaritan in 1970. This version was done 32 years later, repainting it as a mature work in a story that he felt called to revisit: “It is remarkable that one can discover many new ideas in an old and familiar story. Sometimes it is necessary to take a long journey to rediscover earlier creative ideas that are so personal and connected to one’s history.”
WHAT DOES THIS STORY MEAN TO YOU NOW?
A few questions to consider: Have you ever been a good Samaritan? One of the passers-by? Or, have you been the person in the ditch?
Do you resonate with John Swanson’s experience of revisiting an “old and familiar story”?
How has your understanding of this story changed over the years? What stands out for you differently today than at other times in your life? As you re-read it or listen to my reflections on it, what surprises you? Is there something you’ve never noticed before?
THE STORY AND OUR STORY
Last Friday, John Dominic Crossan joined with the paid subscriber community in an online conversation about the parables. We focused on how the parables challenged empire, how they present an alternative to Christian nationalism, and how they widen our vision toward evolutionary — and revolutionary — possibilities for a sustainable, non-violent future for humankind.
In his book, The Power of Parable, Crossan wrote:
My conclusion is that the Good Samaritan was not intended by Jesus as a simple example story, a straightforward moral lesson, a positive paradigm for compassionate behavior. The story presumes that compassionate help is the proper response…. Rather, it is better understood as a challenge parable, a story that challenges listeners to think long and hard about their social prejudices, their cultural presumptions, and, yes, even their most sacred religious traditions.
HOW DOES THIS PARABLE CHALLENGE YOU — AND US — AT THIS SPECIFIC MOMENT IN HISTORY?
What do you think about Crossan’s view of the Good Samaritan? Does it resonate with my reflection? With your experience?
Would you rather this be a “simple example story” or, as Crossan suggests, a challenge? What is most challenging for you? For our communities? What’s the challenge for NOW?
What does this parable say to the global rise of authoritarianism and Christian nationalism?
INSPIRATION
An example parable may be good, a challenge parable is a far more importantly subversive operation. Why? Because challenge parables humble our prejudicial absolutes, but without proposing counter-absolutes in their place. They are tiny pins dangerously close to big balloons. They push or pull us into pondering whatever is taken totally for granted in our world. — John Dominic Crossan
People say you should be a good Samaritan.You can’t.Samaritans were despised outsiders.Good or not,you have too much privilege to be a Samaritan.That’s for the queers, the immigrants,the trans, the blacks, the homeless.
You can be good, you can be generous to strangers,even to your enemy.But you are not the hero of this story. You can’t be.
You’re the one in the ditch. Your neighbor is the other one.You call them rapists and they pick your fruit.You call them shiftless and dangerousand they build your economy.You abhor them and they bless you.
Stop making it about you.Confess your dependence.Receive your neighbor’s grace.Be humbly grateful.Let yourselves be neighbors.— Steve Garnaas-Holmes, “Good Samaritan”
On the parable of the Good Samaritan: I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
That’s the question before you tonight. Not, “If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to my job. Not, “If I stop to help the sanitation workers what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?” The question is not, “If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?” The question is, “If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?” That’s the question.
Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. ― Martin Luther King Jr., “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” April 3, 1968
If you are financially able, please consider supporting The Cottage as a paid subscriber.
Thank you.
PARABLES AND PENTECOSTAn Online Conversation with Paid Subscribers
On Friday, June 5, at 3PM Eastern, I’m hosting a live “questions and conversation” gathering here at the Cottage for paid subscribers.
I’ll share more about the six parables in A Beautiful Year — and then there will be an open mic question time. There’s no guest speaker. Just me and you.
It is a great chance to chat about what’s on our minds and hearts. You can ask me anything.
A zoom link will be sent to all paid subscribers on Friday, June 5 about two hours before we gather online.
If you can’t attend live, a recording of the conversation will be sent to all paid subscribers within 24 hours following the gathering.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dianabutlerbass.substack.com/subscribe