Explain how the parable of the good samaritan answers the question, "who is my neighbour?"?

Question

(do not tell the parable)

Answer 1

Neighbour in this sense (technically correct) isn't about who lives next door, but who will help you out of a tight spot. In this way, traditional enemies may be better neighbours than those you would ordinarily trust. These days, the term has come to apply to people who live nearby, but consider what people mean by "neighbourly behaviour".

Answer 2

One who follows the law in the way they conduct their lives, as opposed to one who "knows" the law. Samaritans were considered a low class of people by the Jews since they had intermarried with non-Jews and did not keep all the law. Therefore, Jews would have nothing to do with them. We do not know if the injured man was a Jew or Gentile, but it made no difference to the Samaritan, he did not consider the man’s race or religion. The “Good Samaritan” saw only a person in dire need of assistance and assist him he did, above and beyond the minimum required. He would dress the man’s wounds with wine (to disinfect) and oil (to sooth the pain). He put the man on his animal and took him to an inn for a time of healing and paid the innkeeper with his own money. He then went beyond common decency and told the innkeeper to take could care of the man and he would pay for any extra expenses on his return trip. The Samaritan saw his neighbor as anyone who was in need.

Because the good man was a Samaritan Jesus is drawing a strong contrast between those who knew the law and those who actually followed the law in their lifestyle and conduct.

Answer 3

Jesus was trying to say that we should regard everyone as our neighbour. The Samaritan understood that, and helped the man who had been set upon, but the others who passed by didn't. Jesus chose a Samaritan (despised by the Jews) deliberately - he was saying "if even a Samaritan can understand that, then you should be able to!".

Answer 4

It points out that in the context of "love thy neighbour as thyself", everyone is your neighbour, not just those of the same family, same town, some country, same race.

The Samaritan helps the traveller after two people you would expect to behave as 'neighbours' have passed by. He is not in local or ethnic terms a 'neighbour' of the traveller, but seeing another in need, he helps.

All who are in need of help are our neighbours, suggests the parable.

Answer 5

The practical answer is that your neighbor is the one with whom you have been brought into contact. The Samaritan didn't go out looking for good deeds but was sensitive to the situation as it presented itself.

Answer 6

the one who had mercy