Luke 10:34
He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Samaritan didn't just bring healing supplies; he used his own personal "oil and wine," meant for his own refreshment, and then gave up his own animal, walking himself, showing a profound self-denial. This wasn't just a good deed; it was an active sacrifice of his own comfort and resources for a stranger.
Jesus is retelling the story of a man beaten and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho to answer the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor?" After describing how a priest and a Levite passed by indifferently, Jesus introduces the Samaritan as the one who showed compassion, actively tending to the wounded man's injuries and ensuring his continued care. This action directly contrasts with the inaction of the religious figures and sets up the ultimate question of who acted as a true neighbor.
The Samaritan didn't have a first-aid kit, but he used what he had. Discover the practical wisdom behind his actions.
The wounded man was in dire straits, and the Samaritan's response was immediate and practical.
Practical Healing
The text mentions "pouring on oil and wine." This wasn't just a random act; these were common, accessible items that served a purpose:
This combination demonstrates a practical understanding of care, even with the limited resources available on a dangerous road.
Sacrifice in Action
Beyond the immediate wound care, the Samaritan made personal sacrifices:
The priest and Levite passed by. What made the Samaritan's action so revolutionary?
The parable of the Good Samaritan isn't just about helping someone in need; it's a profound challenge to our understanding of who our 'neighbor' truly is.
Challenging Societal Norms
The priest and the Levite, figures of religious authority and expected compassion, walked by. Their inaction highlights the fallen state of their society and their own hearts. The Samaritan, however, belonged to a group the Jews despised.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Road from Jerusalem to Jericho
This notoriously dangerous road, descending sharply through desolate wilderness, was known for frequent ambushes by bandits. Travelers often journeyed in groups for safety.
c. 1st century AD
Jewish-Samaritan Animosity
Jews and Samaritans harbored deep mutual hatred, stemming from historical religious and ethnic divisions. Interaction between them was generally avoided.
c. 1st century AD
Roman Occupation of Judea
The Roman Empire controlled Judea during this period. Roman law and order, though present, did not always deter banditry on remote roads, and authorities could be suspicious of travelers.
c. 1st century AD
Medical Practices of the Era
Oil and wine were common medicinal supplies used for cleansing and soothing wounds. This reflects practical, everyday knowledge applied in emergency situations.
This passage describes wounds, and the scholarly context notes oil and wine were common remedies, referencing Isaiah 1:6 for their use in cleansing and soothing.
Luke 10:25The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 is directly prompted by the lawyer's question about who his neighbor is, making it the foundational context for this verse.
Matthew 22:39Jesus states that loving your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment, directly linking the act of compassion in Luke 10:34 to the core of God's law.
James 5:14This verse mentions anointing the sick with oil, echoing the use of oil in Luke 10:34 as a healing agent and highlighting a biblical tradition of medicinal application.
wesleyLuke 10:34: "And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."
10:34 Pouring in oil and wine - Which when well beaten together are one of the best balsams that can be applied to a fresh wound.
calvinLuke 10:25-37: "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
- But when the Pharisees heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they assembled together. 35. And one of them, a doctor of the law, put a question to him, tempting him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. Jesus saith to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.…
The Samaritan didn't just bring healing supplies; he used his own personal "oil and wine," meant for his own refreshment, and then gave up his own animal, walking himself, showing a profound self-denial. This wasn't just a good deed; it was an active sacrifice of his own comfort and resources for a stranger.
Jesus is retelling the story of a man beaten and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho to answer the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor?" After describing how a priest and a Levite passed by indifferently, Jesus introduces the Samaritan as the one who showed compassion, actively tending to the wounded man's injuries and ensuring his continued care. This action directly contrasts with the inaction of the religious figures and sets up the ultimate question of who acted as a true neighbor.
Jesus is retelling the story of a man beaten and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho to answer the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor?" After describing how a priest and a Levite passed by indifferently, Jesus introduces the Samaritan as the one who showed compassion, actively tending to the wounded man's injuries and ensuring his continued care. This action directly contrasts with the inaction of the religious figures and sets up the ultimate question of who acted as a true neighbor.
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Defining 'Neighbor'
The core of Jesus' teaching here is that 'neighbor' isn't defined by proximity, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. It's defined by compassion in action.
The Samaritan saw a man in desperate need and was moved with pity. His immediate, selfless actions—binding wounds, providing transport, ensuring further care—demonstrate a love that transcends prejudice and societal barriers. This is love that looks beyond who someone is to the need they have.
"He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him." — The Samaritan didn't just bring healing supplies; he used his own personal "oil and wine," meant for his own refreshment, and then gave up his own animal, walking himself, showing a profound self-den…
