Luke Chapter 10 · Verse 33
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Original Language Analysis
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
5 of 11
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
κατ'
where
G2596
κατ'
where
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
6 of 11
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
αὐτὸν,
he was
G846
αὐτὸν,
he was
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 11
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
when he saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
when he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
9 of 11
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Cross References
1 Kings 8:50And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:Proverbs 27:10Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.Luke 7:13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.Matthew 18:33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?Matthew 10:5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:John 8:48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Historical Context
Samaritans and Jews maintained hostile relations dating to the Assyrian conquest (722 BC) when foreigners intermarried with remaining Israelites. Jews considered Samaritans half-breed heretics who worshiped on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem. The animosity was mutual—Samaritans had recently defiled the Jerusalem temple by scattering human bones in it (AD 6-9). Jesus' choice of a Samaritan as the hero would shock His Jewish audience, challenging ethnic prejudice and religious superiority. The parable subverts expectations: religious insiders fail, the outsider succeeds.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Samaritan's compassion illustrate Christ's redemptive love crossing all human boundaries?
- What forms of ethnic, social, or religious prejudice does this parable challenge in contemporary Christianity?
Analysis & Commentary
The Samaritan's response contrasts sharply with the priest and Levite: 'But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him' (Σαμαρίτης δέ τις ὁδεύων ἦλθεν κατ᾽ αὐτὸν καὶ ἰδὼν ἐσπλαγχνίσθη). The verb 'splagchnizomai' (ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, had compassion) is visceral—it refers to being moved in one's bowels/innermost being, the strongest Greek term for compassion. While religious professionals passed by (probably fearing ritual defilement from a potentially dead body), the despised outsider felt deep compassion. This Samaritan represents Christ Himself—the unexpected savior who crosses ethnic and religious boundaries to rescue the perishing.