The answer is: False

Luke 10:30-36 - There was no tax collector in the parable

In the beloved parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:30-36, Jesus skillfully weaves a tale that flips societal norms on their head. The story centers around a traveler who falls among thieves, left bruised and neglected on the roadside. Interestingly, the priest and the Levite, respected figures in Jewish society, choose to pass by without offering help. You would expect the followers of the law to act with compassion, but this was not the case.

Instead, it is the Samaritan—considered an outsider and often despised by the Jews—who stops to aid the wounded man. This relationship between Samaritans and Jews is packed with cultural tension. Samaritans were essentially a mixed community, viewed by Jews as impure, which makes this parable's hero all the more striking.

The absence of a tax collector is significant. Tax collectors were generally reviled as traitors who collaborated with the occupying Romans, emphasizing that Jesus wasn’t picking favorites among societal roles. It's a reminder that compassion crosscuts religious and cultural lines, urging the audience to redefine neighborly love.

The lessons hidden here extend into our lives today, especially when we feel inclined to judge others based on their alignments or backgrounds. The real twist, and whatever challenges it poses, is that love and kindness aren’t marked by social boundaries. In highlighting mercy, the Jesus narrative nudges folks towards a humanity that overlooks biases and embraces rivers of kindness.