Matthew 18 and Luke 10. What is the Kingdom of God?

Keywords

Good Samaritan parable, Kingdom of God, Christian compassion

Abstract

“And who is my neighbor?” This is the great question of the Good Samaritan story, a story that we have all listened to carefully many times, studying the different characters, the plot line and ultimately the loving compassion and mercy that one human shared with another.  When we view this timeless question from the perspective of it its surrounding context, the richness of Christ’s message is enhanced.  The stories and passages neighboring the Good Samaritan story in Luke 10 are focused on building the Kingdom of God through preaching the Gospel and gathering souls.  In this context, the Good Samaritan story is more than just a parable about being neighborly or showing loving compassion.  It is a parable about the Kingdom of God, or at least the type of individual who is invited into the Kingdom of God.  Similarly, Matthew 18 is a chapter that focuses on the conditions that mark the Kingdom of God and the characteristics of those who comprise that kingdom.

Let us now reread these chapters, not so much as to focus on the beautiful and well- known story of the Good Samaritan but rather to understand the conditions of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18) and the Gospel call for us to be gathered in unto God (Luke 10).  In our study we will explore these various passages in a commentary style, explicating them by appeal to other scriptures and ancient languages.

Original Publication Citation

“Matthew 18 and Luke 10: What is the Kingdom of God?” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. 2015.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015

Publisher

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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