The maxim of the “golden rule” is exemplified in many Christian stories, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which are unadorned replications of the Jewish Torah: “Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18).
THE BIBLE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN:
Luke 10:30-37 – 30 The Good Samaritan Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him. “Then Jesus said to him,” Go and do the same.” NASU
COMMENTARY
Luke 10:30–37. A certain man. A Jew of Jerusalem. Went down. It was a constant descent from Jerusalem to Jericho, over 3,000 feet in eighteen miles. Fell among robbers. The road is a dark, desolate, mountain pass, dangerous then, so beset by robbers still that no traveler dares go through it without a guard. Which stripped him. Not only of raiment, but of all he had; then left him, stunned, bleeding, unconscious, nearly dead. A certain priest. Jericho was a city of priests. A priest ought to be a holy man. The law commanded mercy and help to a neighbor (Exod. 23:4-5; Deut 22:1-4). The priest and Levite both disregarded the law in passing the poor sufferer. Likewise a Levite. A temple minister. He probably excused himself by the example of his priest. A certain Samaritan. The hereditary enemy of the Jews; despised and hated by the latter. “The Jews and Samaritans have no dealings” (John 4:9). If any man had excuse for passing the wounded Jew by it was the Samaritan. But he, unlike the priest and Levite, had compassion. His compassion leads to action, to self-denial, and inconvenience. He dresses the man’s wounds, sets him on his own beast, carries him to the inn, and when he left, left money for his care. For ancient inns, see note on Luke 2:7. Two pence was two days’ wages, and there was promise of more. Which of these three … proved neighbor? The stranger became the neighbor. So we are to be neighbors to all who need help. Christian love must know no narrow bounds of race or sect. Genuine philanthropy is a Christian spirit. People’s New Testament, The
Consider this:
There is no greater demonstration of the religion of Christ than to be considerate, kind, and benevolent, toward all people who are in distress of whatever kind. The story of the good Samaritan is further demonstrated in the Bible by the writers of the New Testament in several places; note the following …
Galatians 6:10 – So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASB
Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASB
James 1:27 – This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. NASB Matthew 19:19 – Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. KJV
Mark 12:30-31 – 30 And thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. James 2:8-9 – 8 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU;
THIS IS A GOOD QUALITY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS TO DEVELOP IN LIFE.