After summarizing the entire Old Testament Law with the statement “love God and love your neighbor as yourself,” the lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” His motives are revealed by the word “test” in Luke 10:25. The lawyer had people he wanted to exclude from his obligation to love and still be considered legally righteous.
Jesus answered his question by telling a story. A man was traveling to Jericho and was beaten, stripped, and left for dead on the side of a road. A priest and Levite came across the man in misery but passed along the other side of the road to avoid him. A Samaritan, however, displayed love in action as he cared for the man and paid for the expenses. Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of the story to expose the Jewish lawyer's prejudice and reveal that he was asking the wrong question. The real question is not, “Who is my neighbor,” but rather, “Am I a loving neighbor to all who come into contact with me?” Jesus told him, “You go, and do likewise” (verse 37).