Lexical Summary antiparerchomai: To pass by on the other side, to avoid Original Word: ἀντιπαρέρχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pass by on the other side. From anti and parerchomai; to go along opposite -- pass by on the other side. see GREEK anti see GREEK parerchomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and parerchomai Definition to pass by opposite to NASB Translation passed by on the other side (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 492: ἀντιπαρέρχομαιἀντιπαρέρχομαι: 2 aorist ἀντιπαρηλθον; to pass by opposite to (A. V. to pass by on the other side]: Luke 10:31f (where the meaning is, 'he passed by on the side opposite to the wounded man, showing no compassion for him'). (Anthol. Pal. 12, 8; to come to one's assistance against a thing, Sap. xvi. 10. Found besides in ecclesiastical and Byzantine writings.) Topical Lexicon Definition and ScopeStrong’s Greek 492 designates the deliberate action of detouring around a person or situation rather than meeting it head-on. In the New Testament it surfaces only within the Parable of the Good Samaritan and therefore receives its entire theological color from that setting. Occurrences in Scripture Luke 10:31 – “Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.” Luke 10:32 – “So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.” Narrative Context in Luke 10 1. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho: a steep, winding descent of roughly twenty-seven kilometers, notorious for bandits. The victim’s plight would have been easily recognized by anyone familiar with the region. Theological Implications Neighbor defined by need, not by kinship. The term underscores the sin of omission—knowing the good yet refusing to do it (James 4:17). True righteousness is proven not by ritual proximity to God but by practical love for others (Matthew 23:23). The detour imagery foreshadows Christ, who does not bypass sinners but “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Historical and Cultural Considerations Priests served in rotational shifts at the Temple and often journeyed between Jericho (a priestly city) and Jerusalem. Contact with a corpse would render them ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:11-13), potentially forfeiting their service pay and community standing. Jesus’ parable exposes how self-protective interpretations of purity laws can become excuses for lovelessness. Ministry Significance Pastoral care: Passing by compounds the victim’s trauma; stopping can become the conduit of grace. Evangelism: Compassionate deeds authenticate gospel words (1 John 3:18). Discipleship: Believers are trained to move toward need rather than skirt it. Social ethics: The church must not remain on the safe side of the road when confronted with injustice, poverty, or persecution. Contrast with Related Biblical Images While this term pictures avoidance, Scripture elsewhere commends drawing near: the father runs toward the prodigal (Luke 15:20); Jesus “touched” the leper (Mark 1:41). The juxtaposition sharpens the call to incarnational ministry. Practical Application Ask, “Who lies wounded along my daily path?” Assess motives for avoidance—fear, prejudice, busyness. Act sacrificially, even at personal cost, modeling the Samaritan’s generosity and anticipating the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Conclusion Strong’s Greek 492 stands as a somber reminder that indifference is not neutral; it is the active choice to walk the other way. In the economy of the kingdom, love refuses that detour. Forms and Transliterations αντιπαρήλθε αντιπαρηλθεν αντιπαρήλθεν ἀντιπαρῆλθεν antiparelthen antiparêlthen antiparēlthen antiparē̂lthenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 10:31 V-AIA-3SGRK: ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἀντιπαρῆλθεν NAS: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. KJV: him, he passed by on the other side. INT: having seen him he passed by on the opposite side Luke 10:32 V-AIA-3S |
    |