Enlarging the Neighborhood: The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)

Arland J. Hultgren

Article Type: Texts in Context

Publication Date: 1/7/2017

Issue: The Neighbor (Vol. 37, No 1, Winter, 2017)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan challenges the question “Who is my neighbor?” by saying, in effect, that one’s neighbor is anyone encountered who is in need. It challenges the view that one can divide up people into the categories of those who are inside the neighborhood of concern and those that are outside. Applying the parable to actual situations calls for wisdom on the continuum of care and caution. But generally there is a deficit on the side of care over indifference. The parable continues to inspire people to do remarkable deeds of kindness.

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