good Samaritan

or good sa·mar·i·tan

[ good suh-mar-i-tn ]

noun

1. one who is compassionate and helpful to a person in distress.

Good Samaritan

noun

1. New Testament a figure in one of Christ's parables (Luke 10:30–37) who is an example of compassion towards those in distress
2. a kindly person who helps another in difficulty or distress

Good Samaritan

1. In one of the parables of Jesus , the only one of several passersby to come to the aid of a Jew (see also Jews ) who had been robbed, beaten, and left to die on the roadside. The kindness of the Samaritan was particularly admirable because Jews and Samaritans (i.e., people of Samaria) were generally enemies. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer a man who had asked him, “Who is my neighbor?” He forced his questioner to admit that the Samaritan was the true neighbor of the man who had been robbed.

Notes

Figuratively, “Good Samaritans” are persons who go out of their way to perform acts of kindness to others, especially strangers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of good Samaritan¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37.

Idioms and Phrases

A compassionate person who unselfishly helps others, as in In this neighborhood you can't count on a good Samaritan if you get in trouble . This expression alludes to Jesus's parable about a Samaritan who rescues and cares for a stranger who had been robbed and badly hurt and had been ignored by a priest and a Levite (Luke 10:30–35). The Samaritans were considered a heretical group by other Jews, so by using a Samaritan for the parable, Jesus chose a person whom his listeners would find least likely to be worthy of concern. [c. 1600]

Example Sentences

Thanks Rovell for pointing that out, all part of being a Good Samaritan, right?

From The Daily Beast

In one of my homicides, I had one wonderful witness, a legit Good Samaritan with 20-20 vision and photographic memory.

From The Daily Beast

Hence, the need for more “good Samaritan” laws that protect people who call for help when someone is overdosing.

From The Daily Beast

She flagged down the Irvine bus and spoke to an unidentified good samaritan, who brought her to her office and called the police.

From The Daily Beast

An anonymous good samaritan offered to pay for the funerals of all the victims, she said.

From The Daily Beast

He was a good Samaritan and unafraid, who is affectionately remembered by a grateful foe.

From Project Gutenberg

I came upon your little daughter not long since playing the part of the Good Samaritan to Raulsburys poor old horse.

From Project Gutenberg

The words and the expressions on the countenances of the others caused the truth to flash upon the good Samaritan.

From Project Gutenberg

We can thus understand the point of the local saying, "It is time for a Good Samaritan to come."

From Project Gutenberg

Revolutionary socialism is the Good Samaritan of the despoiled and wounded laborer.

From Project Gutenberg