Luke 10:30

And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead.

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} answering {G5274} said {G2036}, A certain {G5100} man {G444} went down {G2597} from {G575} Jerusalem {G2419} to {G1519} Jericho {G2410}, and {G2532} fell among {G4045} thieves {G3027}, which {G3739}{G2532} stripped {G1562} him {G846} of his raiment {G1562}, and {G2532} wounded {G4127}{G2007} him, and departed {G565}, leaving {G863} him half dead {G2253}{G5177}.

Taking up the question, Yeshua said: “A man was going down from Yerushalayim to Yericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him naked and beat him up, then went off, leaving him half dead.

Jesus 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.

Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Commentary on Luke 10:30 (KJV)

Luke 10:30 marks the dramatic opening scene of one of Jesus Christ's most impactful parables, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Responding to a lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:29), Jesus begins to illustrate the true meaning of compassion and neighborly love through this vivid story.

Context

This verse immediately follows a legal expert's inquiry about inheriting eternal life and, more specifically, the definition of "neighbour." Jesus uses this parable to challenge conventional understandings of religious duty and social boundaries. The setting is crucial: "Jerusalem to Jericho." This road, known as the "Way of Blood" due to its notorious dangers, was a steep, winding descent of about 3,300 feet over 17 miles, offering ideal hiding places for bandits. Travelers often undertook this journey alone or in small, vulnerable groups, making them easy targets for robbery and assault. The man's journey "down" from Jerusalem (high elevation) to Jericho (low elevation) is geographically accurate and sets the stage for his unfortunate encounter.

Key Themes

  • Human Vulnerability: The man's immediate plight—stripped, wounded, and left "half dead"—underscores the fragility of human life and the ever-present potential for suffering and injustice in the world. He represents anyone in dire need, regardless of their background.
  • Brutality of Evil: The actions of the thieves highlight the destructive and merciless nature of sin and violence. They not only rob but inflict severe physical harm, demonstrating a complete lack of empathy.
  • Setting the Stage for Compassion: This verse establishes the desperate situation that requires intervention, preparing the listener for the subsequent responses (or lack thereof) from various characters in the parable. It forces us to confront the reality of suffering and the moral imperative to act.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went down" (Greek: katebainen) accurately reflects the significant geographical descent from Jerusalem's elevation to Jericho's lower plains, emphasizing the long and arduous nature of the journey. "Half dead" (Greek: hēmithanē) conveys the extreme severity of the man's injuries, indicating he was on the brink of death and in desperate need of immediate medical attention and care. This detail highlights the urgency and gravity of the situation presented to those who would later pass by.

Practical Application

Luke 10:30, though just the beginning of the parable, serves as a stark reminder of the suffering that exists in the world around us. It challenges us to open our eyes to the "half dead" in our own communities—those who are physically, emotionally, or spiritually wounded and left vulnerable. While the physical dangers of ancient roads may differ from today, the reality of people being "stripped" of their dignity, health, or hope by various circumstances (poverty, injustice, illness, violence) remains. This verse compels us to acknowledge such distress and prepares our hearts to consider our response, laying the groundwork for the call to radical compassion found in the rest of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 88:4

    I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength:

  • Luke 18:31

    ¶ Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

  • Luke 19:28

    ¶ And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 51:52

    Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.

  • Ezekiel 30:24

    And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded [man].

  • Lamentations 2:12

    They say to their mothers, Where [is] corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.
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