Three in One: Jesus Heals a Mule, the Good Samaritan, and Balaam and the Donkey. By Dr Chapman Chen

From our vegan-theological perspective, the three stories — the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus Heals a Mule (A Coptic Bible Story) (see Andrew Linzey 2009, Creatures of the Same God, pp. 60-61), and Balaam and the Donkey (Numbers 22:21-39) — form a powerful unified theological pattern. Together, they present a consistent biblical critique of violence, moral blindness, religious hypocrisy, and human arrogance toward vulnerable beings, especially animals. Some of the deepest common points are:

1. The Righteous Hear the Cry of the Oppressed

In all three stories, the central moral issue is whether one perceives suffering. The priest and Levite see the wounded man yet spiritually fail to “see” him as neighbour.

Jesus alone truly hears the mule’s cries while others remain morally deaf. Balaam cannot perceive the angel or understand the donkey’s distress until God opens his eyes. Thus all three stories condemn spiritual insensitivity to suffering.

2. Animals Possess Moral and Spiritual Significance

Our interpretation treats animals not as objects but as conscious creatures under God’s care. The mule “cries out to the Creator in heaven.” Balaam’s donkey perceives spiritual reality more clearly than the prophet himself. The Good Samaritan parable could expand neighbour-love to include animals. Together, the stories imply that animals suffer, perceive danger, communicate distress, deserve mercy, and participate in God’s moral order.

3. Human “Religious” Authority Often Fails Morally

The priest and Levite fail morally despite religious status. Balaam is a prophet yet behaves cruelly and irrationally. Even Jesus’ disciples fail to recognise the mule’s suffering. Meanwhile, the Samaritan acts compassionately, the mule reveals truth,

the donkey saves Balaam’s life. Thus moral truth often comes from the marginalised rather than the religious elite.

4. Violence is Normalised by Society

All three stories expose socially accepted violence. Temple sacrifice and ritualism are normalised in the Good Samaritan article. Beating and exploiting the mule is considered lawful property use. Balaam instinctively beats the donkey without reflection because domination of animals is culturally accepted. Vegan theology exposes this “normality” itself as sinful.

5. Animals Sometimes See Truth Better than Humans

This is especially striking in the Balaam story. Balaam’s donkey sees the angel before Balaam does. The mule understands pain and injustice more truthfully than the owner or disciples. The Samaritan — despised socially — sees moral truth better than religious leaders. Thus humility and compassion, not status or intellect, grant spiritual vision.

6. The Stories Reverse Conventional Hierarchies

All three narratives overturn expectations. The Samaritan is spiritually superior to priest and Levite. The abused mule becomes morally central. The donkey becomes wiser than the prophet Balaam. This aligns closely with our broader theological tendency to see God siding with the weak, innocent, and voiceless.

7. Faith without Compassion is Dead

This unites all three stories profoundly. Priest and Levite possess religion but lack mercy. Balaam is a prophet yet abuses his donkey. The mule owner may have legal rights but lacks compassion. In all three stories, deeds of mercy become the true test of righteousness. This strongly resonates with the Epistle of James teaching that faith without works is dead.

8. God Sides with Innocent Victims

Your interpretation consistently emphasises divine solidarity with sufferers. God sides with the wounded traveller. Jesus sides with the beaten mule. God sides with Balaam’s donkey against Balaam’s violence. This reflects the recurring theme that God hears the cries of innocent beings — human or animal.

9. Critique of Human Arrogance and Dominion

All three stories rebuke the assumption that power justifies domination. Priestly authority does not justify indifference. Ownership does not justify cruelty.

Prophetic office does not justify violence. In our perspective, true dominion means compassionate stewardship rather than exploitation.

10. The Voiceless Become Prophetic Witnesses

This is especially powerful across the three narratives. The wounded man silently exposes the priest and Levite. The mule’s suffering exposes moral blindness.

Balaam’s donkey literally becomes a prophetic voice. Vegan Theology often emphasises that oppressed beings themselves become witnesses against human cruelty.

11. Repentance Remains Possible

All three stories contain an implicit call to transformation. Jesus says: “Go and do likewise.” The mule owner is warned to stop beating the animal. Balaam repents after his eyes are opened. Thus the stories are not merely condemnations but invitations to moral awakening.

12. Universal Compassion is the True Heart of Divine Religion

Ultimately, from our perspective, the three stories converge into a single message:

true spirituality is not ritual, status, sacrifice, legality, nationalism, or dogma — but mercy toward vulnerable beings.

The Samaritan, the healed mule, and the speaking donkey together form a biblical theology of compassion over sacrifice, mercy over domination, listening over blindness, liberation over exploitation, and love extending beyond the human species.

Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/three-in-one-jesus-heals-a-mule-the-good-samaritan-and-balaam-and-the-donkey-by-dr-chapman-chen