This is a familiar story. One researcher found in a survey that 49% of the people interviewed said they would be able to tell the story of the good Samaritan if asked to do so, 45% said they would not be able to, and 6% were unsure whether they could tell it or not. Among those who attended religious services every week, the proportion who thought they could tell the story rose to 69%.[1]

Surprise! The details are important. There is more here than a simple reminder about our ethical obligation to assist people in need.

The story. Immediately we are introduced to a lawyer. He poses a question to Jesus as a "test" — "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25).

In the typical fashion of the rabbis then and now, Jesus answers the question with one of his own. "What is w…