The man with the donkey proved to be a Samaritan, and so he too found himself confronted with the same issue as the others had met and shirked. But, unlike the others, the Samaritan was willing to take the risk involved because he had compassion on the man. Regardless of what the consequences to himself might be, he went to the man and on finding he was alive after all, tended his wounds, took him to the inn and sat up with him all night. Then, early next morning, before continuing his journey he gave the innkeeper two silver pieces, equivalent to a vinedresser’s wages for two days, and asked him to take care of the man until he had recovered.

Our Lord then gave a turn to the lawyer’s question and asked him to answer it, “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” (NRSV, Luke 10:36). The lawyer could not bring himself to utter the hated name of Samaritan, so indicated him by saying, “The one who showed him mercy”. And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (NRSV, Luke 10:37).