Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

122
“COMEBEMYFOLLOWER”
everyday circumstances that he had likely observed while
growing up in Galilee. Think, for a moment, about his early
life. How often did he see his mother grind grain
into flour, add leaven to dough, light a lamp, or sweep
the house? (Matthew 13:33; 24:41; Luke 15:8) How many
times did he watch the fishermen as they let down their
nets into the Sea of Galilee? (Matthew 13:47) How often
did he observe children playing in the marketplace?
(Matthew 11:16) Jesus no doubt saw other commonplace
things that are mentioned in his many illustrations—seeds
being sown, joyful wedding feasts, and grain fields ripening
in the sun.—Matthew 13:3-8; 25:1-12; Mark 4:26-29.
12 In his illustrations, Jesus mentioned details that were
well-known to his listeners. For example, he began the
parable of the neighborly Samaritan by saying: “A certain
man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho
and fell among robbers, who both stripped him and inflictedblows,...leavinghimhalf-dead.”(Luke10:30)
Significantly, Jesus referred to the road that went “from
Jerusalem to Jericho” to make his point. When relating
this parable, he was in Judea, not far from Jerusalem; so
his listeners undoubtedly knew about the road in question.
That road was known to be dangerous, especially for
someone traveling alone. It wound through lonely terrain,
providing many lurking places for robbers.
13 Jesus included other familiar details about the road
that went “from Jerusalem to Jericho.” According to the
parable, first a priest and then a Levite were also traveling
that road—although neither stopped to help the victim.
(Luke 10:31, 32) The priests served at the temple in Jerusalem,
and the Levites assisted them. Many priests and
12, 13. Why is it significant that Jesus used the road that went “from
Jerusalem to Jericho” to make his point in the parable of the neighborly
Samaritan?