A certain Samaritan, in his journey, came where the sufferer was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He did not question whether the stranger was a Jew or a Gentile. If a Jew, the Samaritan well knew that, were their condition reversed, the man would spit in his face, and pass him by with contempt. But he did not hesitate on account of this. He did not consider that he himself might be in danger of violence by tarrying in the place. It was enough that there was before him a human being in need and suffering. He took off his own garment with which to cover him. The oil and wine provided for his own journey he used to heal and refresh the wounded man. He lifted him on his own beast, and moved slowly along with even pace, so that the stranger might not be jarred, and made to suffer increased pain. He brought him to an inn, and cared for him through the night, watching him tenderly. In the morning, as the sick man had improved, the Samaritan ventured to go on his way. But befor…
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,"
EGW is retelling the story of the Good Samaritan, and directly quotes Luke 10:33.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The EGW passage describes the Samaritan's act of compassion, which aligns with the principle in Matthew 25:40 that acts of kindness towards others are acts of kindness towards Christ.
"The story ended, Jesus fixed His eyes upon the lawyer, in a glance that seemed to read his soul, and said, “Which of these three, thinkest thou , proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?” Luke 10:36 , R. V. DA 503.3"
"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?"
Ellen White directly references Luke 10:36 in this passage.
"The lawyer would not, even now, take the name Samaritan upon his lips, and he made answer, “He that showed mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go, and do thou likewise.” DA 503.4"
"And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
The EGW passage directly quotes and references the exchange between Jesus and the lawyer in Luke 10:37, making it a clear and direct allusion.
"Thus the question, “Who is my neighbor?” is forever answered. Christ has shown that our neighbor does not mean merely one of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color, or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbor is everyone who is the property of God. DA 503.5"
"But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"
The EGW passage directly references and answers the question posed in Luke 10:29. It's more than a thematic parallel; it's a direct response to the biblical text.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The EGW passage expands on the principle of showing compassion to all, which is exemplified in Matthew 25:40. The connection is strong and directly related to the principle of serving others.
"In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus gave a picture of Himself and His mission. Man had been deceived, bruised, robbed, and ruined by Satan, and left to perish; but the Saviour had compassion on our helpless condition. He left His glory, to come to our rescue. He found us ready to die, and He undertook our case. He healed our wounds. He covered us with His robe of righteousness. He opened to us a refuge of safety, and made complete provision for us at His own charges. He died to redeem us. Pointing to His own example, He says to His followers, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 15:17 ; 13:34 . DA 503.6"
"These things I command you, that ye love one another."
Ellen White directly references John 15:17 in this passage.
"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."
EGW directly interprets the parable of the Good Samaritan, drawing parallels between Jesus's mission and the actions of the Samaritan. This is a clear and intentional allusion.
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
The EGW passage directly quotes and references John 15:12 (and other verses from John 13 and 15) in the context of the Good Samaritan story, emphasizing the commandment to love one another as Christ loved us.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
Both passages describe God's compassion and rescue of humanity from a state of ruin. The EGW passage uses the Good Samaritan story as an illustration, while Ephesians 2:4-5 describes the same concept theologically. The connection is thematic and meaningful.