What are the symbols in the good samritain?

This parable was told in answer to two questions: what shall I do to inherit eternal life (Lke 10:25a) ? and who is my neighbour (Luke 10:29b)? Through this parable Jesus showed the true spiritual nature of Israel at that time.

The robbery-victim (almost certainly a Jew) lay half dead on the road to Jericho. The Jewish priest and Levite refused to help; perhaps they feared it was a plot, or were afraid that they too might be robbed if they tarried. It was a hated Samaritan who came to the rescue, who applied first aid, who took the victim to an inn, and who made provision for his care. To the Samaritan, a Jew in need was his neighbor.

Then Jesus asked the question. Which of the three proved neighbor to the helpless man? The one who showed mercy, of course. Then the one who asked the questions should go and do likewise.

We can see in the priest and Levite a picture of the powerlessness of the law to help the dead sinner; the law commanded "Love your neighbor as yourself" but it did not give the power to obey. The priest and the Levite could be said to represent the nation of Israel who failed to keep God's law. Also we can identify the good Samaritan with the Lord Jesus who came to where we were, saved us from our sins, and made full provision for us from earth to heaven and through all eternity. Priests and Levites may disappoint us but the Good Samaritan never does.

The story of the good Samaritan started off to answer the question "Who is my neighbor?" But it ended by posing the question "To whom do you prove yourself a neighbour?"