Chrysti the Wordsmith > Radio Scripts

Someone who selflessly helps a stranger in distress is a Good Samaritan. This noble title alludes to one of Christ's parables in the New Testament.

Jesus tells a story illustrating how a good neighbor ought to behave: One day, a Jewish traveler was on a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. Along the road, he was ambushed by bandits, stripped and robbed, then beaten so badly that he was near death. A priest who was taking the same path came across the bleeding man but quickly crossed to the other side of the road. Next, a Levite, a sort of priest's assistant, came along, but he was in such a hurry that he also refused to help the injured traveler.

Soon a Samaritan -- a member of an outcast society among the Jews -- came upon the injured man. The Samaritan took pity on him, dressed his wounds, and then paid for his lodging at an inn. Jesus used this parable to illustrate that the Samaritan -- the traditional pariah -- was the true and good neighbor.

Interestingly, the exact phrase Good Samaritan does not appear in the Bible. It evolved over the centuries through various references and allusions to this parable.

A confederation of American RV owners called the "Good Sam Club," named its organization in 1966 for the ancient Samaritan who helped the needy stranger on the road.

Radio Script > Good Samaritan