In this sermon, Pope Shenouda III speaks about the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), explaining its symbolic and practical meanings.
🔹 Introduction to the Parable: A lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law?” The man answered with the commandment of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “Do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, the man asked, “And who is my neighbor?” So Jesus told him the parable of the Good Samaritan.
🔹 Symbolic Meaning:
The man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho represents humanity leaving the life of holiness (Jerusalem, the city of God) and walking the path of sin (Jericho, the symbol of downfall).
The robbers symbolize the devils who strip man of his grace and wound him through sin.
His nakedness signifies the loss of the robe of righteousness.
The Good Samaritan represents Christ, who came to heal the wounds of fallen humanity. He poured wine and oil—symbolizing the holy sacraments and the Holy Spirit—on the wounds, placed the man on His beast (faith), brought him to an inn (the Church), and gave the innkeeper two denarii (the Gospel and grace), saying, “Take care of him until I return,” meaning the Second Coming.
🔹 Literal and Spiritual Meaning:
The priest and the Levite passed by the wounded man without helping him, although they knew the Law. They represent knowledge without action and religious position without love.
The Samaritan—a person despised by the Jews—was moved with compassion and became a model of practical love.
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that true love does not discriminate; it extends to every suffering person, even to strangers or enemies.
The parable shows that Christ wants us to be doers of mercy, not hearers only, and to hasten to help those in need, for delay may cost them their spiritual life.
🔹 Final Message: The Pope calls us to be like the Good Samaritan—to love everyone without distinction and to act with quiet compassion. Every human being wounded by sin needs a hand extended in love, just as Christ stretched out His hand to heal us.
Meditations on the Parable of the Good Samaritan
In this sermon, Pope Shenouda III speaks about the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), explaining its symbolic and practical meanings.
🔹 Introduction to the Parable:
A lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law?” The man answered with the commandment of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “Do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, the man asked, “And who is my neighbor?” So Jesus told him the parable of the Good Samaritan.
🔹 Symbolic Meaning:
The man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho represents humanity leaving the life of holiness (Jerusalem, the city of God) and walking the path of sin (Jericho, the symbol of downfall).
The robbers symbolize the devils who strip man of his grace and wound him through sin.
His nakedness signifies the loss of the robe of righteousness.
The Good Samaritan represents Christ, who came to heal the wounds of fallen humanity. He poured wine and oil—symbolizing the holy sacraments and the Holy Spirit—on the wounds, placed the man on His beast (faith), brought him to an inn (the Church), and gave the innkeeper two denarii (the Gospel and grace), saying, “Take care of him until I return,” meaning the Second Coming.
🔹 Literal and Spiritual Meaning:
The priest and the Levite passed by the wounded man without helping him, although they knew the Law. They represent knowledge without action and religious position without love.
The Samaritan—a person despised by the Jews—was moved with compassion and became a model of practical love.
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that true love does not discriminate; it extends to every suffering person, even to strangers or enemies.
The parable shows that Christ wants us to be doers of mercy, not hearers only, and to hasten to help those in need, for delay may cost them their spiritual life.
🔹 Final Message:
The Pope calls us to be like the Good Samaritan—to love everyone without distinction and to act with quiet compassion. Every human being wounded by sin needs a hand extended in love, just as Christ stretched out His hand to heal us.