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The meaning and origin of the expression: Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Good Samaritan'?

Someone who helps another in need for compassionate motives and with no thought of reward.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Good Samaritan'?

This expression derives from the Biblical parable, Luke 10:30/33 (Miles Coverdale's Version, 1535):

10:30 Then answered Iesus, and sayde: A certayne man wente downe from Ierusalem vnto Iericho, and fell amonge murthurers, which stryped him out of his clothes, and wounded him, and wente their waye, and left him half deed.
10:31 And by chauce there came downe a prest the same waye: and whan he sawe him, he passed by.
10:32 And likewyse a Leuite, wha he came nye vnto the same place and sawe him, he passed by.
10:33 But a Samaritane was goynge his iourney, and came that waye, and whan he sawe him, he had compassion vpon him,

The figurative use of the term began in the 17th century. In 1649, Peter Chamberlen published a book titled The Poore Mans Advocate, or, Englands Samaritan.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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