The way to eternal life

Relationship among the scenes (Luke 10:25–42)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

The explication of the Shema forms around its own chiasm. Following Talbert (1982).

1. a
   "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength"10:27a
2. b
   "and your neighbor as yourself"10:27b
3. b′
   parable on love of neighbor10:29–37good Samaritan
4. a′
   narrative on complete devotion10:38–42Mary/Martha

How to gain eternal life: love of God and neighbor (Luke 10:25–28)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

1. 1Lawyer's question10:25
2. 2Jesus' counter question10:26
3. 3Lawyer's answer10:27
4. 4Jesus' command10:28

Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:29–37)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

The same four-step dialogue repeats, with the parable as Jesus' counter question.

1. 1Lawyer's question10:29
2. 2Jesus' counter question: the parable10:30–36
3. 3Lawyer's answer10:37a
4. 4Jesus' command10:37b

The good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–34)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

1. a
   he fell among robbers10:30
2. b
   who stripped him10:30
3. c
   and beat him10:30
4. d
   and departed10:30
5. e
   leaving him half dead10:30
6. –
   a priest and a Levite pass by on the other side10:31–32
7. a′
   a Samaritan had compassion, and went to him10:33
8. b′
   bound up his wounds10:34
9. c′
   pouring on oil and wine10:34
10. d′
    then he set him on his own beast10:34
11. e′
    and brought him to an inn, and took care of him10:34

Love God with heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:38–42)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

1. aJesus
   as they went on their way, he entered a village10:38a
2. bMartha
   Martha received him into her house10:38b
3. cMary
   Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching10:39
4. b′Martha
   Martha, distracted with much serving, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help10:40
5. a′Jesus
   Mary has chosen the good portion10:41–42