The New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most famous stories taught by Jesus. It is told in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 10, verses 25 to 37. This parable has spanned the centuries, inspiring generations of believers and non-believers alike with its timeless message of compassion and kindness towards others.

The story begins with an expert in the Law testing Jesus by asking, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds by asking him what he reads in the Law. The expert replies by quoting the great commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself." Jesus then tells him that if he does this, he will live.

However, seeking to justify himself, the expert asks Jesus who his neighbour is. It is at this point that Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.

A Jewish man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of thieves who robbed him, beat him and left him half dead by the roadside. Several people passed him by without stopping, including a priest and a Levite, respected figures in the society of the time. These two men, although religious, do not stop to help their fellow countryman in distress.

Then a Samaritan, a member of an ethnic group despised by the Jews of the time, passes by. Unlike the priest and the Levite, he is filled with compassion for the wounded man. He binds up his wounds, loads him onto his own horse, leads him to an inn and takes care of him. The next day, he gives money to the innkeeper, asking him to take care of the man and promising to pay any additional expenses when he returns.

Jesus concludes the parable by asking the expert of the Law which of the three men showed himself close to his fellow man. The expert answers correctly, saying it was the Samaritan. Jesus then tells him to go and do the same.

This parable is rich in lessons. It underlines the importance of compassion regardless of race, religion or social class. The choice of the Samaritan as the hero of the story has a profound impact, as it defies the prejudices of the time and emphasises that goodness can emerge from the least expected places.

The parable of the Good Samaritan calls each of us to transcend social barriers and act with love towards those in need. It reminds us that love of neighbour should not be limited to those who look like us or share our beliefs, but should extend to all human beings.

This timeless story continues to inspire millions of people around the world, both believers and non-believers, by highlighting the transforming power of compassion and selfless love. It remains a universal call to transcend prejudice and reach out to those in need of help, resonating across generations as a powerful reminder of the responsibility we have to our fellow human beings.