Luke 19:1

¶ And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho.

And {G2532} Jesus entered {G1525} and passed through {G1330} Jericho {G2410}.

Yeshua entered Yericho and was passing through,

Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

And he entered and was passing through Jericho.

Luke 19:1 offers a concise yet significant geographical and narrative marker in the Gospel of Luke, stating, "And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho." This simple declaration sets the stage for one of the most beloved stories of encounter and transformation in the New Testament.

Context

Jericho was an ancient and historically significant city, known for its strategic location in the Jordan Valley, serving as a gateway to Jerusalem. It was a wealthy city due to its agricultural produce, particularly balsam, and its role as a customs point. For Jesus, passing through Jericho was part of His final, deliberate journey to Jerusalem, where He would ultimately fulfill His mission. This journey is a recurring theme in Luke's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus' resolute determination to face His destiny in the capital (Luke 9:51).

Historically, Jericho held significance from Old Testament times, famously falling after the Israelites marched around its walls under Joshua (Joshua 6:20). In Jesus' day, it was a bustling city, attracting diverse people, including tax collectors like Zacchaeus, who is introduced immediately after this verse (Luke 19:2).

Key Themes

  • Divine Intent: Jesus' movement through Jericho is not accidental but purposeful. It underscores His active pursuit of the lost and His mission to bring salvation to all, regardless of their social standing or reputation.
  • Accessibility of Christ: The mere act of "passing through" signifies Jesus making Himself available to the people in that city. It highlights the accessibility of God's grace and the opportunity for individuals to encounter Him directly. This sets a precedent for the incarnation of Christ, where God came to dwell among humanity.
  • Setting the Stage: This verse is foundational for the subsequent narrative, particularly the dramatic conversion of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, and the Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:12-27), both of which unfold directly from this entry into Jericho.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "passed through" is dierchomai (διέρχομαι), which means "to go through," "to pass through," or "to travel through." It implies a journey or transit with a specific destination or purpose beyond merely entering. Jesus wasn't just visiting Jericho; He was on a mission, moving through it as part of His larger redemptive journey towards Jerusalem, where He would accomplish His ultimate work of salvation.

Practical Application

Luke 19:1 reminds us that Christ is always on the move, actively seeking out individuals in every place. His presence transforms ordinary locations into sites of divine encounter. For us, this verse encourages us to recognize that God is at work in our daily paths and in seemingly ordinary places. It calls us to be open to His presence and to expect transformative encounters, just as the residents of Jericho experienced when Jesus entered their city.

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.

  • Joshua 6:1

    ¶ Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

  • Joshua 6:27

    So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was [noised] throughout all the country.

  • Luke 18:35

    ¶ And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

  • 1 Kings 16:34

    In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

  • Joshua 2:1

    ¶ And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

  • 2 Kings 2:18

    And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?

  • 2 Kings 2:22

    So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.

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