The answer is: The one who showed him mercy

Luke 10 v 37

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a treasure trove of moral instruction nestled within Jesus' interactions with the scholarly class of his time. When framing the story, Jesus didn’t just spin a tale; He laid bare the prejudices and expectations of society, illustrating what it truly means to be a “neighbor.”

In the ancient world, Jews and Samaritans had an uncomfortable history. The Samaritans were seen as outsiders, often shunned and reviled by the Jewish community. By making the villain in the parable a victim and portraying a Samaritan as the hero, Jesus flipped the script. The impact would have shook his audience as they dared to see goodness outside the lines of familiar friendship and rivalry.

Isn’t it fascinating that Jesus chose a priest and a Levite—two elevated figures in society—who passed the injured man without a second glance? It underscores that mere position or piety doesn’t grant one moral superiority. Instead, it is the actions that genuinely reflect one's heart.

Was this message radical for its time? Absolutely! Yet today, the essence remains so relevant, challenging us still to consider the definitions and boundaries we erect in society. We would do well to follow the womanizers that revived these moral challenges in lives budding for justice in the most unexpected places. After all, it's not our title but our compassion that qualifies us as someone's neighbor!