Here is my idea. Tell me what you think.
Start with the golden rule in Leviticus 19:18. I would argue that "neighbor" should be replaced with "fellow Jew". There is a different verse, Leviticus 19:34, requiring love for immigrants/travelers, but it isn't worded quite the same and probably isn't the verse quoted in the parable. Here is how I would translate Leviticus 19:18
"You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your [fellow Jew] as yourself: I am the Lord." ( Bible Gateway passage: Leviticus 19 - Revised Standard Version )
Now consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 and replace "neighbor" with "fellow Jew". After Jesus quotes the golden rule the teacher of the law asks "who is my [fellow Jew]?" Jesus uses the parable to show that being a Jew is about obeying the spirit of the Law and not about genetics or abstruse legal behavior. The Samaritan is revealed to be more Jewish than the priest or the Levite, because he followed the spirit of the Law by loving. ( Bible Gateway passage: Luke 10 - Revised Standard Version )
The advantage of using "fellow Jew" instead of "neighbor" is that Jesus actually answers the question that was asked of him rather than answering a question that wasn't asked.
Start with the golden rule in Leviticus 19:18. I would argue that "neighbor" should be replaced with "fellow Jew". There is a different verse, Leviticus 19:34, requiring love for immigrants/travelers, but it isn't worded quite the same and probably isn't the verse quoted in the parable. Here is how I would translate Leviticus 19:18
"You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your [fellow Jew] as yourself: I am the Lord." ( Bible Gateway passage: Leviticus 19 - Revised Standard Version )
Now consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 and replace "neighbor" with "fellow Jew". After Jesus quotes the golden rule the teacher of the law asks "who is my [fellow Jew]?" Jesus uses the parable to show that being a Jew is about obeying the spirit of the Law and not about genetics or abstruse legal behavior. The Samaritan is revealed to be more Jewish than the priest or the Levite, because he followed the spirit of the Law by loving. ( Bible Gateway passage: Luke 10 - Revised Standard Version )
The advantage of using "fellow Jew" instead of "neighbor" is that Jesus actually answers the question that was asked of him rather than answering a question that wasn't asked.
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