Luke 10 33

Luke 10:33 kjv

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

Luke 10:33 nkjv

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

Luke 10:33 niv

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

Luke 10:33 esv

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.

Luke 10:33 nlt

"Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.

Luke 10 verses

Luke 10 33 Meaning

Luke 10:33 presents a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, describing how a Samaritan, a person traditionally despised by the Jews, unexpectedly demonstrated profound compassion and practical aid towards a brutally injured Jewish man. This verse reveals the true meaning of "neighbor" not as one who shares ethnicity or creed, but as anyone in need towards whom one acts with mercy. It directly contrasts the actions of the religious leaders who had passed by, highlighting that genuine piety is demonstrated through merciful action.

Luke 10 33 Context

Luke 10:33 is part of the well-known Parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37. This parable is Jesus' response to a legal expert who asks, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Lk 10:25). After the expert correctly summarizes the greatest commandments—to love God and love neighbor (Lk 10:27)—he presses further with "And who is my neighbor?" (Lk 10:29). It is in direct answer to this self-justifying question that Jesus tells the parable. The preceding verses (Lk 10:30-32) set up the scenario by detailing the severe beating and abandonment of the traveler, and then the callous disregard shown by a priest and a Levite, both figures of religious authority and ethnic purity to the Jewish audience. This verse introduces the shocking figure who breaks the pattern of neglect, forcing the hearer to confront their preconceived notions of "neighbor."

Luke 10 33 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλά, alla): This strong conjunction introduces a sharp contrast to the previous verses, signifying a radical shift in expected behavior. It underscores the surprising and counter-cultural nature of the Samaritan's action compared to the religious leaders.
• a certain Samaritan (Σαμαρίτης τις, Samaritēs tis):
  • Samaritan: Refers to an inhabitant of Samaria. Historically, Samaritans were seen as ethnic and religious adversaries by the Jews, viewed as a mixed-race, apostate people who had diverged from pure Judaism (2 Kgs 17). Relations between Jews and Samaritans were fraught with mutual disdain and open hostility (Jn 4:9). The lawyer's initial question "Who is my neighbor?" implicitly sought to define boundaries, but Jesus chooses the most excluded and reviled figure from his audience's perspective to be the example of true neighborliness. This choice is deeply polemical, directly challenging the lawyer's narrow, ethnocentric view of community and neighbor.
  • certain (τις, tis): Emphasizes that this was an ordinary, everyday Samaritan, not a figure of great renown or special piety, making his action all the more exemplary and accessible.
• as he journeyed (ὁδεύων, hodeuōn): This active participle highlights that the Samaritan was also traveling, similar to the priest and Levite, yet his journey was interrupted by compassion. It was not a planned detour but an unexpected encounter.
• came where he was (ἦλθεν κατ᾽ αὐτόν, ēlthen kat' auton): This phrase implies a purposeful, direct approach to the injured man. Unlike the others who "passed by," the Samaritan moved towards the man, demonstrating willingness to engage with the crisis.
• and when he saw him (ἰδὼν αὐτόν, idōn auton): The act of seeing is crucial. Both the priest and the Levite "saw" the man (Lk 10:31-32), but their seeing did not lead to action or compassion. For the Samaritan, seeing led to empathy.
• he had compassion (ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, esplanchnisthē): This verb means to be "moved in one's bowels," expressing the deepest, most visceral feeling of pity and sympathy. It indicates a profound emotional response that goes beyond mere observation or fleeting concern. This is the same word used repeatedly to describe Jesus' own deep empathy for the suffering, highlighting a core characteristic of divine mercy (Matt 9:36; Mk 6:34; Lk 7:13). It is this internal disposition that motivates true acts of love.

Luke 10 33 Bonus section

The shock value of this verse to Jesus' original audience cannot be overstated. By positioning the Samaritan as the exemplar of compassion, Jesus not only challenged the legal expert's self-justifying query but also dismantled the prevalent ethno-religious framework through which people understood "neighbor." The "surprise" of the Samaritan's actions is the theological crux, as it reveals that God's Kingdom ethics transcend human-made boundaries and societal exclusions. This verse suggests that true godliness is less about maintaining ritual purity or correct lineage and more about actively manifesting mercy and self-sacrificial love for anyone in need, even—or especially—those from whom least is expected.

Luke 10 33 Commentary

Luke 10:33 is the heart of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, intentionally designed to challenge deeply ingrained social and religious prejudices of Jesus' time, and indeed, of all times. By choosing a Samaritan—a group held in contempt by the Jews—as the hero of mercy, Jesus overturns the religious and cultural expectations of His audience. The priest and Levite, symbols of religious purity and duty, fail in their moral obligation, possibly due to concerns of ritual impurity or a lack of genuine empathy. In stark contrast, the despised Samaritan demonstrates the true essence of love for neighbor: an unbidden, visceral compassion (esplanchnisthē) that transcends ethnic hatred and religious dogma, leading to costly and immediate action. This verse defines true neighborliness not by shared identity or proximity, but by a selfless, active response to another's suffering. It is a powerful illustration that deeds of mercy are the genuine manifestation of God's love, outweighing adherence to external religious codes or social boundaries.

Examples for practical usage:

• A person helping a homeless individual from a rival community, demonstrating that aid is not restricted by social divides.
• Donating blood or volunteering for a cause not directly tied to one's own immediate family or community, out of pure compassion for strangers.