Left: Whole window. Right: Closer view of the Good Samaritan. [Click on the images to enlarge them.]
The Good Samaritan in William Butterfield's St Mary Magdalene, Enfield, a later north aisle window dedicated to the memory of Fred Porter, "member of the choir 1889-1923 & churchwarden for 20 years." It illustrates the parable about the traveler who has fallen victim to savage thieves, and is neglected until someone bothers to stop and attend to him. In particular it illustrates the text inscribed below the window, about the Samaritan himself: "When he saw him he had compassion on him." The fact that the Samaritan is shown as very elderly makes his effort to help seem all the more commendable. While he binds the victim's wounds, "pouring in oil and wine" (Luke 10, 34), and his donkey patiently awaits his master's pleasure, a passer-by looks back — no doubt the Levite who "came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side" (Luke 10, 32).
Photographs by John Salmon, and text by Jacqueline Banerjee. You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.
Sources
Eberhard, Robert. "Stained Glass Windows at St Mary Magdalene." Church Stained Glass Windows. Web. 7 July 2015.
"The Nave Stained-Glass." St Mary Magdalene. Web. 7 July 2015.
Created 8 July 2015