Book of Luke - Chapter 10 - Verse 31

This verse comes from the parable of the Good Samaritan found in the book of Luke in the Bible. It tells the story of a man who was beaten and robbed, left on the side of the road. A priest happens to pass by, but instead of stopping to help the wounded man, he crosses to the other side of the road and continues on his way. This act of indifference and lack of compassion from the priest highlights the theme of the parable, which is about showing mercy and kindness to others, even to those who may be considered strangers or enemies. The priest's actions serve as a stark contrast to the Samaritan who later comes along and goes out of his way to care for the injured man, illustrating the importance of empathy and selflessness in our interactions with others. This verse serves as a reminder to readers to examine their own actions and attitudes towards those in need, and to strive to embody the compassion and love demonstrated by the Good Samaritan in this parable.

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse "And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side," scholars focus on the actions of the priest towards a wounded man on the road to Jericho. This event is part of the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus teaches about compassion and mercy towards others. The priest's decision to pass by on the other side is seen as a missed opportunity to show love and kindness to a fellow human being in need. It highlights the importance of not just professing religious beliefs, but also living them out in practical ways through acts of compassion and service. Word studies on this verse often look at the original Greek and Hebrew words used for "saw" and "passed by," delving into the nuances of their meanings to glean deeper insights into the story's moral lessons.