The Allegory of the Good Samaritan


As some of you may know, the Parable of the Good Samaritan is also an allegory and gives details of the God's plan of salvation. If you want to read more about the details behind it, there were two great articles written at the following links (Simplified, Complete PDF). I highly recommend reading them.

This, however, is not what I am focusing on here. It appears to me that there is a structure of seven in this allegory and I intend to outline it here. It was not obvious but I think that the structure that I did find is fitting.

Before I go into the structure, I do want to point out that there were two questions asked by the lawyer. The first is answered by the allegory and the second is answered by the parable. After telling the story, Jesus has the lawyer answer the second question and then he answers the first.
And who is my neighbour? (Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?) He that shewed mercy on him.
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ... Go, and do thou likewise.


1 A certain man
2 went down from Jerusalem to Jericho,
3 and fell among thieves,
4 which stripped him of his raiment,
5 and wounded him,
6 and departed,
7 leaving him half dead.

1 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way:
2 and when he saw him,
3 he passed by on the other side.
4 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place,
5 came and looked on him,
6 and passed by on the other side.

1 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:
2 and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
3 and went to him, and bound up his wounds,
4 pouring in oil and wine,
5 and set him on his own beast,
6 and brought him to an inn,
7 and took care of him.

1 And on the morrow
2 when he departed,
3 he took out two pence,
4 and gave them to the host,
5 and said unto him, Take care of him;
6 and whatsoever thou spendest more,
7 when I come again, I will repay thee.

I don't have much to say about the number one here except that it is the beginning and appears to set the scene for the section. There is a common word, 'certain,' in three of the sets.
The number two as seen here has the two meanings of separation as well as vision, seeing that there is a problem or seeing what needs to be done.
The number three has to do with covenants, being broken or made.
The number four has to do with authority. Raiment often has reference to authority, as well as levites and the host. Oil and wine are administered by those with authority.
The number five as seen in the last two sets is showing mercy.
The number six has to do with deficiency. The thieves did not finish killing him, he wasn't taken home yet, and there may not have been enough money to take care of him fully.
Also, you will notice that the second set is actually a set of six not seven. This is fitting as the priest and the levite did not have the power or authority to save the man. It also has a parallel structure as 123123.
The number seven is a number for completeness. He was left ready to die, he was taken care of more than he could have been while on the road, and this savior would return and pay all that was required.

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