An expert in the law asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus turns the question back to him: what is written in the law? The man answers with the commands to love God fully and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus tells him that he has answered correctly.

The man then asks a narrower question: who is my neighbor? Jesus answers with a story.

A man is traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho when robbers attack him. They strip him, beat him, and leave him half dead beside the road. A priest comes along, sees the wounded man, and passes by on the other side. A Levite does the same.

Then a Samaritan traveler approaches. The choice of a Samaritan is significant because relations between Jews and Samaritans carried deep historical and religious tension. Yet the Samaritan is the person in the story who is moved with compassion.

He goes to the injured man, treats his wounds with oil and wine, bandages them, places him on his own animal, and brings him to an inn. He cares for him there and, when leaving, gives the innkeeper money with a promise to repay any additional expense.

Jesus does not finish by giving a theoretical definition of the category “neighbor.” Instead he asks which of the three became a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers. The expert answers: the one who showed mercy.

Jesus tells him to go and do likewise. The parable therefore shifts the focus from identifying who qualifies to receive love toward the active practice of mercy across a boundary that might otherwise justify distance.