Samaritans
The region of Samaria was located in Palestine, south of Galilee and north of Judea. Jesus passed through Samaria when he traveled from Capernaum to Jerusalem.
Samaritans descended from Jews who intermarried with the Assyrians that conquered Israel (2nd Kings 17:5-6, 22-34). Jews, who were prohibited from intermarrying with other nations, despised the Samaritans because they descended from mixed marriages (Deuteronomy 7:2-4).
While Jews avoided interacting with Samaritans, Jesus was more tolerant toward them (John 4:9). He spoke with a Samaritan woman, to the surprise of his own disciples (John 4:7-42). He preached in their cities, and rebuked James and John for wanting to destroy a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus (Luke 9:55-56).
Luke 10 Outline
10:1-24
Workers sent out by twos to preach
10:1-12
Conduct instructions
10:1
Workers sent to cities Jesus would visit
10:2-9
Conduct for receptive cities
10:10-12
Conduct for cities that rejected them
10:13-15
Woes to three cities
10:16
Principle about response to Christ
10:17-24
Triumphant return
10:17-20
Workers return to Jesus
10:21-24
Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit
10:25-37
The Good Samaritan
10:25-28
Lawyer asks Jesus about eternal life.
10:29-37
Parable of the Good Samaritan.
10:38-42
Martha and Mary
Fast Facts
- The Good Samaritan used oil as a soothing agent, and wine as a disinfectant. In 2005 scientists discovered that olive oil is a natural pain killer. It contains an anti-inflammatory agent called “oleocanthal,” which has pain relieving properties similar to ibuprofen.
- Mary’s devotion to Christ’s important message outweighed the urgency of preparing food. She is a model example of how to set priorities. First focus on the important, then on the urgent.