The answer is: Priest

Luke 10:31

Imagine you're at a New Testament movie premiere, and the first character you meet is a priest—a big deal, right? In ancient Israel, priests were the religious elite, known for their close relationship with God and the people. Yet, in the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10, it’s shocking how the priest is the first person to walk by the wounded man stuck in a ditch. Here's the twist: instead of lending a hand, he simply avoids the scene, leaving us to wonder what was going through his holy mind.

This parable flips social expectations on their head! The priest, a follow-the-rules type, thought that keeping away preserved his purity, as touching a wounded person might make him unclean. But herein lies the precious lesson—it’s not piety that defines goodness; it’s action and compassion!

Fun fact: Did you know that the term "Samaritan" has become synonymous with "helpful person?" This story resonates beyond its time, influencing how we view morality today. And here’s another neat tidbit—during Jesus’ time, Jews viewed Samaritans as outsiders, yet the Samaritans played a critical role in this narrative, showing just who really understood love and kindness.

Jesus beautifully shows us that true proximity to our ideals requires jumping into action when others might step away. It’s not about titles, but about who you are when it counts most!