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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 10:31 Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/10-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/42_Luk_10_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 10:31 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/10-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/10-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm" title="Luke 10:30">◄</a> Luke 10:31 <a href="/luke/10-32.htm" title="Luke 10:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/10.htm">New International Version</a> A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/nlt/luke/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. <a href="/esv/luke/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. <a href="/bsb/luke/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/blb/luke/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now by chance a certain priest was going down on that road, and having seen him, he passed by on the opposite side. <a href="/kjv/luke/10.htm">King James Bible</a> And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/nkjv/luke/10.htm">New King James Version</a> Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/nasb_/luke/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/nasb/luke/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/nasb77/luke/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And by chance a certain priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/lsb/luke/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And a priest happened to be going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/amp/luke/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/csb/luke/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/hcsb/luke/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/asv/luke/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/cev/luke/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. <a href="/erv/luke/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/gwt/luke/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "By chance, a priest was traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he went around him and continued on his way. <a href="/gnt/luke/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. <a href="/isv/luke/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> By chance, a priest was traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he went by on the other side. <a href="/net/luke/10.htm">NET Bible</a> Now by chance a priest was going down that road, but when he saw the injured man he passed by on the other side. <a href="/nheb/luke/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/wbt/luke/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/wey/luke/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now a priest happened to be going down that way, and on seeing him passed by on the other side.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/luke/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/web/luke/10.htm">World English Bible</a> By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And by a coincidence a certain priest was going down in that way, and having seen him, he passed over on the opposite side; <a href="/blb/luke/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now by chance a certain priest was going down on that road, and having seen him, he passed by on the opposite side. <a href="/ylt/luke/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And by a coincidence a certain priest was going down in that way, and having seen him, he passed over on the opposite side; <a href="/slt/luke/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And by accident a certain priest went down in that way: and having seen him, went on the opposite side.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. <a href="/cpdv/luke/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And it happened that a certain priest was descending along the same way. And seeing him, he passed by. <a href="/nabre/luke/10.htm">New American Bible</a> A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. <a href="/nrsvce/luke/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And it chanced a priest was going down that road; and he saw him and passed on. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And it happened a certain priest was going down that road and he saw him and passed by.” <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And by chance a certain priest went down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. <a href="/godbey/luke/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And by chance a certain priest came down that way: and seeing him, passed by on the other side.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And it so fell out, that a certain priest went down that way, and seeing him, he kept the opposite side of the road. <a href="/mace/luke/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> a certain priest happen'd to be travelling that way, who look'd upon him, and then pass'd on. <a href="/wey/luke/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now a priest happened to be going down that way, and on seeing him passed by on the other side. <a href="/worrell/luke/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And by chance, a certain priest was going down that way; and, seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And by chance a certain priest came down that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/10-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=4351" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/10.htm">The Parable of the Good Samaritan</a> …30Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: Kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">by</a> <a href="/greek/4795.htm" title="4795: synkyrian (N-AFS) -- A coincidence, accident, chance. From a comparative of sun and kureo; concurrence, i.e. Accident.">chance</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">a</a> <a href="/greek/2409.htm" title="2409: hiereus (N-NMS) -- A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.">priest</a> <a href="/greek/2597.htm" title="2597: katebainen (V-IIA-3S) -- To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.">was going down</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinē (DPro-DFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">the same</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodō (N-DFS) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">road,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idōn (V-APA-NMS) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">when he saw</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/492.htm" title="492: antiparēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- To pass opposite, on the opposite side of the road. From anti and parerchomai; to go along opposite.">he passed by on the other side.</a> 32So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a> If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ... <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a> “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ <a href="/matthew/5-7.htm">Matthew 5:7</a> Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. <a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4</a> They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a> The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a> If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.by.<a href="/ruth/2-3.htm">Ruth 2:3</a> And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.<a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">2 Samuel 1:6</a> And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:11</a> I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.priest.<a href="/jeremiah/5-31.htm">Jeremiah 5:31</a> The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?<a href="/hosea/5-1.htm">Hosea 5:1</a> Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.<a href="/hosea/6-9.htm">Hosea 6:9</a> And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.he passed.<a href="/job/6-14.htm">Job 6:14-21</a> To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty… <a href="/psalms/38-10.htm">Psalm 38:10,11</a> My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me… <a href="/psalms/69-20.htm">Psalm 69:20</a> Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/15-24.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/luke/8-26.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/luke/4-31.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/luke/5-15.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/luke/10-4.htm">Road</a> <a href="/luke/9-50.htm">Side</a> <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/11-54.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/luke/10-32.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/luke/10-32.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/luke/22-50.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/luke/18-35.htm">Road</a> <a href="/luke/10-32.htm">Side</a> <a href="/luke/10-32.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 10</div>1. <a href="/luke/10-1.htm">Jesus sends out at once seventy disciples to work miracles, and to preach;</a> 13. <a href="/luke/10-13.htm">pronounces a woe against certain cities.</a> 17. <a href="/luke/10-17.htm">The seventy return with joy; </a> 18. <a href="/luke/10-18.htm">he shows them wherein to rejoice, </a> 21. <a href="/luke/10-21.htm">and thanks his Father for his grace;</a> 23. <a href="/luke/10-23.htm">magnifies the happy estate of his church;</a> 25. <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">teaches the lawyer how to attain eternal life, </a> 30. <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">and tells the parable of the good Samaritan;</a> 38. <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">reprimands Martha, and commends Mary her sister.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Priests were descendants of Aaron and held significant religious authority, responsible for temple sacrifices and rituals. The road referred to is likely the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a well-traveled and dangerous route known for its steep descent and frequent robberies. The phrase "by chance" suggests a divine orchestration, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the encounter. This setting underscores the priest's role as a religious leader who would be expected to show compassion and adherence to the Law, which commands love for one's neighbor (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>).but when he saw him The priest's ability to see the injured man indicates awareness and opportunity to act. In biblical terms, seeing often implies understanding and responsibility (<a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7</a>). The priest's sight of the man in need contrasts with his subsequent inaction, highlighting a failure to translate religious duty into compassionate action. This moment of seeing is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the moral and ethical implications of the parable.he passed by on the other side The priest's decision to pass by on the other side reflects a deliberate choice to avoid involvement. This action may have been influenced by concerns over ritual purity, as contact with a potentially dead body would render him ceremonially unclean (<a href="/numbers/19-11.htm">Numbers 19:11-13</a>). However, this avoidance reveals a prioritization of ritual over mercy, which Jesus critiques throughout His ministry (<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a>). The priest's behavior serves as a critique of religious formalism that neglects the weightier matters of the law, such as justice and mercy. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the true nature of neighborly love and the call to act with compassion, regardless of personal cost or inconvenience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/priest.htm">Priest</a> A religious leader in Jewish society responsible for temple duties and rituals. The priest in this parable represents those who are expected to uphold God's law and show compassion. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_road.htm">The Road</a> The road from Jerusalem to Jericho, known for being treacherous and dangerous, often frequented by robbers. It symbolizes life's journey, filled with unexpected challenges and opportunities to demonstrate faith. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_injured_man.htm">The Injured Man</a> Although not mentioned in this specific verse, the injured man is central to the parable. He represents those in need of mercy and compassion. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_parable_of_the_good_samaritan.htm">The Parable of the Good Samaritan</a> This event is part of a larger teaching by Jesus, illustrating the command to love one's neighbor and challenging societal norms and prejudices. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The accountteller, using this parable to teach about true neighborly love and the essence of the Law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/religious_duty_vs._compassionate_action.htm">Religious Duty vs. Compassionate Action</a> The priest's failure to help highlights the danger of prioritizing religious rituals over genuine acts of love and mercy. <a href="/topical/s/seeing_and_responding.htm">Seeing and Responding</a> The priest saw the injured man but chose to pass by. True discipleship requires not just seeing needs but responding to them with compassion. <a href="/topical/b/breaking_social_norms_for_love.htm">Breaking Social Norms for Love</a> The parable challenges us to break societal and cultural barriers to show love, as Jesus did. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_indifference.htm">The Cost of Indifference</a> Ignoring those in need can have spiritual consequences, as it reflects a heart not aligned with God's love. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_the_greatest_commandments.htm">Living Out the Greatest Commandments</a> Our actions towards others reflect our love for God, as loving our neighbor is an expression of our faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 10</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'repent_and_believe'.htm">What is the 2024 Easter Bible reading plan?</a> <a href="/q/day_21_insights_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events transpired during the crucifixion of Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_address_pastor_criticism.htm">Who is considered a Samaritan?</a> <a href="/q/names_of_jerusalem's_gates.htm">What are the names of Jerusalem's gates?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) By chance. . . .--The passage is the only one in the New Testament in which the phrase occurs. Our Lord seems to use it as with a touch of what we have elsewhere termed irony. It seemed so casual, as such opportunities always do to men who neglect them, and yet it was, in the purpose of God, the test-moment of each man's character and life.There came down.--Better, as before, there was going down.A certain priest.--Jericho was at this time a priestly city, and so the journey of the priest from Jerusalem, as if returning from his week of sacerdotal offices there, has a touch of vivid naturalness. He, too, like the questioner, had been doing his duty to God, according to his measure of that duty.Passed by on the other side.--The priest shrank, it might be, (1) from the trouble and peril of meddling with a man whom robbers had just attacked, and (2) from the fear of incurring a ceremonial defilement by coming into contact with what might possibly be a corpse before he reached it. He accordingly "passed by on the other side," not of the road only, but of the ravine through which the road passed.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - There came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Both the priest and Levite were frequent travellers along this road between the capital and Jericho. Jericho was especially a city of priests, and when the allotted service or residence time at the temple was over, these would return naturally to their own homes. It has been remarked that the grave censure which this story levels at the everyday want of charity on the part of priests and Levites, fills up what would otherwise have been a blank in the Master's many-sided teaching. Nowhere else in the gospel narrative do we find our Lord taking up the attitude of censor of the priestly and Levitical orders. We have little difficulty in discovering reasons for this apparently strange reticence. They were still the official guardians and ministers of his Father's house. In his public teaching, as a rule, he would refrain from touching these or their hollow, pretentious lives. Once, and once only, in this one parable did he dwell - but even here with no severe denunciations, as in the case of scribes and Pharisees - on the shortcomings of the priestly caste. The bitter woe was fast coming on these degenerate children of Aaron. In less than half a century, that house, the glory and the joy of Israel, would be utterly destroyed, net to be raised again. No woe that the Christ could pronounce could be as crushing in its pitiless condemnation. The very reason for the existence of priest and Levite as priest and Levite would exist no longer. The selfish life of the doomed order, in which holiness seemed effectually to have been divorced from charity, is portrayed in the lifelike picture of the parable of the good Samaritan. <a href="/commentaries/luke/10-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Now δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. by Κατὰ (Kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). chance συγκυρίαν (synkyrian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4795.htm">Strong's 4795: </a> A coincidence, accident, chance. From a comparative of sun and kureo; concurrence, i.e. Accident. a τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. priest ἱερεύς (hiereus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2409.htm">Strong's 2409: </a> A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest. was going down κατέβαινεν (katebainen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2597.htm">Strong's 2597: </a> To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend. the same ἐκείνῃ (ekeinē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. road, ὁδῷ (hodō) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. but καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. when he saw ἰδὼν (idōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. he passed by on the other side. ἀντιπαρῆλθεν (antiparēlthen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_492.htm">Strong's 492: </a> To pass opposite, on the opposite side of the road. From anti and parerchomai; to go along opposite. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/10-31.htm">Luke 10:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/10-31.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 10:31 By chance a certain priest was going (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 10:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 10:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/10-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 10:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 10:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>