Luke 10:30

Luke 10:30

ESV: Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.

KJV: 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.

NIV: In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

NKJV: Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

NLT: Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

Meaning

Luke 10:30 introduces the compelling narrative of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It sets the tragic scene where a nondescript individual, journeying the perilous descent from Jerusalem to Jericho, encounters violent brigands. These attackers not only stole his possessions, including his clothing, but brutally assaulted him, abandoning him by the wayside in a critically injured, life-threatening state, signifying complete vulnerability and an urgent need for help.

Cross References

Context

Luke 10:30 serves as the opening line of the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan, told by Jesus in response to a lawyer's probing question. Following the lawyer's correct recitation of the two greatest commandments (to love God and neighbor, Luke 10:27-28), he attempts to "justify himself" by asking, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29). Jesus responds not with a direct definition, but with this parable, inviting the listener to discover the answer through a narrative illustrating active, compassionate love. The specific geographical details—"from Jerusalem to Jericho"—were highly significant. This 17-mile road was infamous in antiquity for its steep, desolate, winding terrain, often referred to as the "Way of Blood," making it a notorious haunt for bandits and a place of significant peril for travelers.

Word analysis

• Jesus replied: This indicates a direct answer or a further exposition given by Jesus. It frames the following story as a didactic response.

• "A certain man" (anthrōpos tis in Greek): Deliberately unspecified, signifying universality. This could be any person, emphasizing that neighborly love is not restricted to a specific identity or background (Jew, Gentile, rich, poor). His anonymity prevents bias in the listener.

• "was going down" (katebainen in Greek): Literally descending. This highlights the significant topographical change; Jerusalem is at a high altitude (around 2,500 feet above sea level), while Jericho is approximately 800 feet below sea level. The road was a treacherous, continuous downhill journey.

• "from Jerusalem to Jericho": A notorious, winding, and dangerous road spanning about 17 miles through a desolate wilderness often called the "Ascent of Adummim" (Jos 15:7-8). It was known for its rock formations and caves, ideal hiding places for brigands. Travelers typically formed groups for safety, but this man traveled alone.

• "and he fell among robbers" (lēstōn periepesen in Greek): This suggests an ambush or a violent encounter rather than a chance meeting. Lēstēs denotes not just a thief, but a bandit, brigand, or highwayman—someone who uses violence and takes by force, often armed. This highlights the brutal nature of the assailants.

• "who stripped him" (ekdysantes in Greek): This means they forcibly removed his clothes. In that culture, clothing was a valuable possession, and stripping someone signified complete despoliation, dehumanization, and extreme vulnerability. It also left him without coverings in the harsh desert environment.

• "and beat him" (kai plēgas epithentes in Greek): Implies severe physical violence, inflicting many blows, not merely a minor assault. This denotes a deliberate and brutal attack.

• "and departed, leaving him half dead" (hēmithanē aphentes in Greek): This phrase is critical. "Half dead" indicates a critically injured state, on the verge of death. The victim was not just injured but was facing imminent demise without immediate intervention. This intensifies the urgency and gravity of his situation, making any omission of help a potentially fatal decision. The robbers had accomplished their aim and saw no reason to complete the murder.

• "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho": Establishes the anonymity of the victim, making the situation relatable to all, while placing the scene on a famously dangerous travel route. It immediately conveys vulnerability and peril.

• "and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him": Portrays the sudden, brutal, and comprehensive nature of the assault. The victim suffered total material loss, severe physical injury, and was left utterly defenseless.

• "and departed, leaving him half dead": Emphasizes the grave consequence of the attack and the sheer cruelty of the attackers, abandoning the victim in a critical, life-threatening condition, on the brink of death and requiring urgent, life-saving care.

Commentary

Luke 10:30 concisely sets the tragic stage for one of Jesus' most profound parables. It paints a vivid picture of extreme human suffering and vulnerability. The choice of "a certain man" emphasizes the universal potential for anyone to be a victim or, by extension, to need help, transcending social, religious, or ethnic distinctions. The "Jerusalem to Jericho" road, historically notorious for banditry, heightens the realism and the inherent danger, implying a risk often undertaken by solitary travelers. The description of the robbers' actions—stripping, beating, and abandoning—conveys the totality of the man's suffering: his material possessions were stolen, his dignity assaulted, and his life left hanging by a thread. The detail "half dead" is crucial; it means the victim was not merely wounded but faced imminent death without intervention. This established a crisis demanding urgent, significant, and selfless action from anyone who encountered him, setting the premise for the subsequent actions of the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan. The verse lays the groundwork for challenging preconceptions about who merits compassion and what true neighborliness entails.

Bonus section

The anonymous status of the "certain man" is not merely for general applicability but also serves a powerful rhetorical purpose: it strips away any potential biases of the listeners concerning the victim's social standing, ethnicity, or moral worth. He is simply "a man," in dire need, demanding an unfiltered human response. This detail subtly directs the listener's focus to the suffering itself and the need for action, rather than dwelling on the victim's identity. Furthermore, the description of his "half dead" state underscores that aid rendered would be risky and potentially require substantial effort, time, and personal sacrifice—not just a trivial gesture of charity. This sets a high bar for the acts of compassion that follow in the narrative.

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