### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀντιπαρέρχομαι (antiparérchomai, `{{G492}}`) is a compound word formed from ἀντί (anti), meaning "opposite," "against," or "instead of," and παρέρχομαι (parérchomai, `{{G3928}}`), meaning "to pass by," "to go past," or "to come near." The combination yields the specific sense of "to pass by on the other side" or "to go along opposite." This is not merely an accidental passing but implies a deliberate act of avoidance or disregard. The prefix ἀντί adds a nuance of moving *away from* or *in opposition to* a direct encounter, suggesting an intentional sidestepping of responsibility or engagement. It conveys a conscious decision to maintain distance and avoid interaction, particularly in a situation that demands attention or intervention.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀντιπαρέρχομαι occurs exclusively in the New Testament, appearing only twice, both within the Parable of the Good Samaritan as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. This singular context imbues the word with profound significance.
In [[Luke 10:31]], Jesus describes the priest who, upon seeing the man stripped, beaten, and left half-dead by robbers, "passed by on the other side." Similarly, in [[Luke 10:32]], a Levite, coming to the same place and seeing the man, also "passed by on the other side." The repetition underscores the deliberate nature of their actions. These were not mere coincidences of travel but conscious choices to avoid engagement with the suffering individual.
The context is crucial: the parable is Jesus' response to a lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor?" The priest and the Levite represent figures of religious authority and piety in Jewish society. Their actions, or rather inactions, are starkly contrasted with the compassionate intervention of the Samaritan, a person traditionally despised by Jews. Their act of ἀντιπαρέρχομαι reveals a fundamental failure to embody the very essence of the law they were meant to uphold – love for God and neighbor. Their avoidance suggests a prioritization of ritual purity (perhaps fearing defilement by touching a possibly dead body) or personal convenience over the immediate and desperate need of a fellow human being.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root word is παρέρχομαι (parérchomai, `{{G3928}}`), which simply means "to pass by." The addition of ἀντί (anti, `{{G473}}`) transforms a neutral action into one of deliberate opposition or avoidance. Other related concepts include:
* ἀποστρέφω (apostrephō, `{{G654}}`): to turn away, to avert. While ἀντιπαρέρχομαι suggests passing *around* or *by*, ἀποστρέφω implies a more direct turning away.
* ἀμελέω (ameléō, `{{G272}}`): to be careless, to neglect. This verb captures the essence of the indifference implied by ἀντιπαρέρχομαι.
* πλησίον (plēsion, `{{G4139}}`): neighbor. The entire parable revolves around the redefinition of "neighbor," and the priest and Levite's ἀντιπαρέρχομαι exemplifies the failure to act as a neighbor.
* Concepts of compassion, mercy, and active love (e.g., ἔλεος, eleos `{{G1656}}`; ἀγάπη, agapē `{{G26}}`), which are exemplified by the Samaritan, stand in stark contrast to the neglect demonstrated by those who ἀντιπαρέρχομαι.
### Theological Significance
The singular and powerful use of ἀντιπαρέρχομαι in the Parable of the Good Samaritan carries immense theological weight. It serves as a potent illustration of:
1. **The Sin of Omission:** The priest and Levite did not actively harm the man, but their sin lay in their failure to act when action was desperately needed. Jesus uses this word to highlight that righteousness is not merely about avoiding evil, but actively doing good.
2. **Critique of Superficial Piety:** The actions of the religious leaders expose the emptiness of religious observance divorced from practical compassion. Their adherence to perceived purity laws or social conventions prevented them from fulfilling the higher law of love. This challenges the notion that ritual or status alone constitutes true godliness.
3. **Redefinition of Neighborly Love:** By contrasting the ἀντιπαρέρχομαι of the priest and Levite with the active intervention of the Samaritan, Jesus radically expands the concept of "neighbor." It is not defined by ethnicity, religion, or social standing, but by one's willingness to show mercy and compassion to anyone in need, even an enemy.
4. **The Call to Active Compassion:** The word underscores the imperative for believers to engage with suffering, rather than to avoid it. It is a direct challenge to indifference and a call to emulate the self-sacrificial love demonstrated by the Samaritan, which ultimately points to Christ's own redemptive work.
### Summary
ἀντιπαρέρχομαι (antiparérchomai, `{{G492}}`) signifies a deliberate act of passing by on the other side, intentionally avoiding engagement or responsibility. Its sole occurrences in [[Luke 10:31]] and [[Luke 10:32]] within the Parable of the Good Samaritan are pivotal. It describes the reprehensible actions of the priest and the Levite, who, despite their religious standing, chose to ignore a suffering man. Theologically, this word powerfully illustrates the sin of omission, critiques a superficial piety that lacks compassion, and underscores Jesus' radical redefinition of neighborly love, calling believers to active, empathetic intervention rather than indifferent avoidance. It stands as a stark reminder that true faith is demonstrated not merely in adherence to rules, but in the costly and active expression of love for those in need.
TRV