Why would a good samaritan be an oxymoron?

Answer 1

The Jews regarded the Samaritans as not just gentiles, but also hateful untrustworthy half-bred idolatrous dogs: they were no good at all. On the other hand, they would have had no trouble if it was about the good Levite and the bad samaritan. It's a bit like thinking of every businessman as a conman - some are, but most aren't. This parable is not comparing ideologies, (although that would come into it), but answering the question of "who is your neighbour " . To put the parable in modern perspective, replace the 'good Samaritan' with 'good Arab' .