Who was a “lawyer” in Jesus’ day?
A lawyer in Jesus’ day wasn’t the same as one today. Today a lawyer passes tests and argues in court for a client for money. In Jesus’ day, lawyers were men who studied and knew a lot about the Law of Moses, or the Judaic religion. Today they would be called Theologians. When you see the word “lawyer” in the bible, it really means someone who studied the Jewish religion.
Who is a Samaritan?
The Samaritans were a group of people that lived in Israel who were part Jewish. Their ancestors had been Gentiles who went to Israel after Babylon captured Jerusalem. When they got there, they married some Jews. Since they weren’t completely Jewish, many Jews, especially priests and Levites, didn’t like them and wouldn’t do business or make friends with them.
One day when Jesus was teaching, a certain lawyer stood up and tried to test Jesus asking: “What can I do to gain everlasting life?”
Jesus asked him: “What is written in the law?”
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind,” said the lawyer. “And love your neighbor like you love yourself.”
Jesus nodded. “You’re right. Do this and you will live.”
But the lawyer wanted to justify himself and so quickly asked: “Then who is my neighbor?”
“A certain man,” Jesus began, “went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he was attacked by thieves who took everything, even his clothes, and left him half-dead. By some chance, a certain priest came down that way, but when the priest saw the beaten man, he quickly moved to the other side of the road and passed him.
“Then, likewise, a Levite came by and looked at the man, but then quickly moved to the other side of the road and walked away.
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where the man had been hurt. When the Samaritan saw him, he had compassion on him. The Samaritan cleaned and bandaged his wounds. Then the Samaritan set the man on his animal and took him to an inn and took care of him.
Before the Samaritan left, he gave the innkeeper money to take care of the man; and told the innkeeper that if there was more money needed then the Samaritan would be back tomorrow to pay what was needed.”
Jesus looked to the lawyer. “Which of the three acted like a neighbor to the man who had been hurt?”
And the lawyer answered: “The one who showed mercy on the one who was hurt.”
“Then go,” said Jesus, “and do the same.”
(You'll find the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37)
