We are all familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan. We marvel at the kindness and generosity of the Samaritan, who stands in stark contrast to the “bad guys” in the story—the Priest and the Levite. It’s easy to draw a simple conclusion: the bad guys are selfish, while the good guy is compassionate. The takeaway seems obvious: be like the good guy.
But why did Jesus include so many details about how the Good Samaritan helped the injured man? This parable isn't just a lesson about "good vs. bad." Instead, it shows the difference between healthy and unhealthy boundaries.
The Priest and the Levite: Boundaries for Self-Protection
The Priest and the Levite clearly had boundaries, perhaps even for legitimate reasons. As public religious figures, they were expected to avoid ceremonial defilement. The injured man’s social status is unknown, but the fact that he was traveling alone in a dangerous area suggests he wasn’t a respectable, middle-class individual. According to the Law of Moses, priests were prohibited from touching anyone deemed "unclean," and if the man was an outcast—or worse, dead—ritual cleansing would have disrupted their important religious duties.
In their minds, their duty was clear: protect themselves and adhere to the Law. The Law didn’t require them to help an unknown man, but it did require them to avoid becoming ceremonially unclean. So, to "play it safe," they chose to avoid him altogether. They “passed by on the other side,” prioritizing their own safety and interpretation of the Law.
But were they truly protecting God’s Law? Or were they just protecting themselves? Is this how God intended His Law to be fulfilled?
The Samaritan: Boundaries with Compassion and Wisdom
Then enters the Samaritan. At first glance, it may seem like he abandoned all boundaries to help the injured man. But did he? Was he "good" simply because he gave everything without limits? A closer look at Jesus’ description of the Samaritan’s actions reveals that he maintained several healthy boundaries:
1. Physical Contact
The Samaritan immediately provided first aid, addressing the man’s most urgent need. Jesus describes how he “bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine” (Luke 10:34). This hands-on care was critical to saving the man’s life, outweighing the risks the Priest and Levite had avoided.
However, after addressing the immediate need, the Samaritan did not continue close physical contact. He placed the injured man on his donkey and took him to an inn instead of his own home. By doing so, he protected his family from potential risks and avoided exhausting himself unnecessarily.
2. Time Management
The Samaritan did not stay with the man indefinitely. Jesus highlights that the Samaritan left the next day (Luke 10:35). After ensuring the man was being cared for at the inn, he returned to his normal responsibilities. The Samaritan balanced his care for the injured man with his own commitments, demonstrating that helping others doesn’t mean abandoning your own life entirely. He also promised to return later, showing ongoing concern without losing control of his time.
3. Financial Boundaries
The Samaritan provided financial support, but within reasonable limits. He gave the innkeeper two denarii—about two days' wages—ensuring the man’s immediate needs were met. At the same time, he didn’t offer an excessive amount upfront. Instead, he promised to reimburse the innkeeper later if additional expenses arose. The Samaritan was generous, but his resources were carefully allocated based on actual needs.
4. Delegation and Involvement
The Samaritan didn’t attempt to care for the man entirely by himself. Instead, he entrusted the innkeeper, someone experienced in hospitality, to continue the care. By partnering with the innkeeper, he ensured the injured man’s needs were met without overburdening himself. This delegation allowed him to provide help while remaining within his own capacity.
5. Independent Decision-Making
Although not explicitly stated, it’s clear the Samaritan acted independently. He likely faced social and cultural pressures against helping the injured man. Samaritans were despised by Jews, and helping a stranger could have invited criticism or ridicule. Despite this, the Samaritan chose to act based on what he believed was right. He wasn’t swayed by others’ opinions or societal expectations.
What Was the Real Question?
At the end of the parable, it’s important to remember that Jesus’ story doesn’t directly answer the question He was asked: “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Instead, the parable seems to reframe the question. Jesus challenges us to think not about who qualifies as our neighbor, but about who we can become a neighbor to. If you were the injured man, who would you want as a neighbor? If you were the Samaritan, to whom could you become a neighbor?
A neighbor, by definition, is someone who lives nearby but outside of your own home. Boundaries exist in every neighborly relationship—they define who we are, who the other person is, and the nature of our connection.
Loving Our Neighbor with Healthy Boundaries
God commands us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” This includes using God’s way of defining boundaries to shape every aspect of our relationships: our identity, our responsibilities, and the time and resources we devote to others. The religious leaders in the parable created boundaries to protect themselves and their interpretation of the Law. The Samaritan, however, set boundaries to protect what God values: both the needs of his neighbor and his own well-being.
This story challenges us to reflect on how we love others. Are we creating boundaries that reflect God’s priorities, or are we using them as excuses to protect ourselves? True love involves setting boundaries that allow us to care for others without neglecting our own responsibilities—and that’s what the Samaritan exemplifies.
