In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), what detail highlights the unexpected nature of compassion and challenges the audience's potential prejudices?

A The Samaritan paid for the injured man's care upfront. B The priest and Levite were on their way to perform religious duties. C The injured man was a known criminal in the area. D The Samaritan was from a group considered religiously and ethnically impure by the Jewish people.