The Good Samaritan in Luke (Luke 10:25-37) and Its Implication to Church and Society

ABSTRACT The thrust of this research work is to explain in clear term who is actually the neighbour in the parable. The result was used to explain the implication of good neighbourliness to Nigerian society. The aim is to criticize and strengthen our spirit of oneness in nomenclatural acclamation. Textual and literary criticisms were adopted in order to attain a plausible conclusion in the exegetical principle of the text and practical way of life. The greatest challenge in doing the study of the Good Samaritan was to excavate Jesus’ theological line of thought in the pericope. Jesus compounded the problem by using a parable to answer the religious expert’s curiosity on “Who is my neighbour?” It was even the religious lawyer that provided the answer that the neighbour is the one that “showed mercy”. The man that “showed mercy”, which is the pivot of this thesis, was not a Jew; he was not a Rabi; he was not a priest and was not a Levite. He displayed a charitable grace that was devoid of any racism, religious ties, political manipulation and economic permutation. The research articulated that good neighbourliness to Nigeria society will restore human dignity, security of life and property, peaceful co-existence, patriotic leaders and patriotic people. It aimed and concluded that Nigerians should live in peace both in word and in deed for the benefit of all