27-01

an expert in the Jewish law

This man studied and taught the laws God had given the Israelites, as well as other Jewish laws.

to inherit eternal life

The law expert was asking how he could be worthy to receive eternal life as an inheritance from God the Father.

eternal life

This refers to life forever with God after the mortal body dies.

What is written in God’s law?

Jesus asked this question because he wanted the man to think about what God’s law really teaches.

27-02

Love the Lord your God

Jesus is quoting what God’s law commands people to do in Deuteronomy 6:5.

with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind

This could mean with your whole self or with every part of yourself.

heart

The heart refers to the part of a person that has desires and emotions.

soul

The soul refers to the nonphysical, spiritual part of a person.

strength

Here strength refers to the physical body and all of its abilities.

mind

Here mind refers to the part of a person that thinks, plans, and has ideas.

neighbor

Although the word neighbor normally refers to a person who lives near us,the Jews applied the term to everyone except close relatives, foreigners, and enemies.

love your neighbor as yourself

This could mean love your neighbor to the same extent that you love yourself.

27-03

who is my neighbor?

The law expert knew that he did not love everyone, and was asking which people he needed to love.

27-06

happened to walk down

The priest was not just walking on the road, but was traveling to get to another city.

ignored that man

The priest did not help that man or show any concern for him.

27-07

Levites were a tribe of Jews

The Levites were from the Israelite tribe of Levi.

ignored

This means he did not help the man.

27-09

an inn by the road

This was a place where travelers could get food and stay overnight.

27-11

the three men

The three men were the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan.

neighbor

Jesus is using the word neighbor in a broader sense than in 27:02. Neighbor here refers to anyone that we meet who needs our help.

do the same

This could mean love others, even your enemies.