The answer is: The one who showed him mercy

Luke 10 v 37

The parable of the Good Samaritan is such a rich story, filled with profound implications about our responsibilities to one another! When the sinuous lawyer responds, “The one who showed him mercy,” he's acknowledging something that transcends religious borders and social barriers. A Samaritan—a group traditionally held in disdain by the Jews—steps in to help a stranger who has been beaten and left for dead, showcasing what true compassion looks like.

It’s fascinating to consider that Samaritans and Jews had a history of animosity. In cultural terms, this parable flips societal norms on their head. Jesus uses the unlikeliest character—a Samaritan—as the hero to emphasize that love and mercy are the highest callings, drawing us to bridge divides and dismantle prejudices.

Fun fact: Did you know that the Gospel of Luke is often regarded as the social justice gospel? It contains a high number of parables illustrating how Jesus cared for the marginalized and underprivileged. There’s also an echo of the Exodus narrative here; just as the Israelites were called to treat strangers well because of their own experience as outcasts in Egypt, here we witness that mercy defined a true neighbor across ethnic lines!

Ultimately, this parable invites us to evaluate who we consider as worthy of our compassion, challenging us to truly live out the principle of loving our neighbor as ourselves. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all take this lesson to heart in our everyday lives?