Devine Scripture

Luke 10:31

What does Luke 10:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:31 means

A priest happens to go down that way, sees the wounded man, and passes by on the other side. The priest’s failure to help is shocking because priests were expected to care for others and uphold God’s law. His action raises questions about religious duty and purity laws possibly misapplied to avoid contact. The priest’s passing by exposes the danger of religious status without compassion; outward devotion can coexist with moral neglect, failing the law’s command to love neighbor.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he went by on the other side.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And by a coincidence a certain priest was going down in that way, and having seen him, he passed over on the opposite side;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a certain priest happened to go down that way, and seeing him, passed on on the opposite side;

Context

This part of the parable contrasts religious stature with moral failure. Following the victim’s plight, the priest’s cold response prepares readers for the Levite’s similar neglect and then for the Samaritan’s compassion, heightening the moral surprise and teaching about true neighborly love beyond ritual boundaries.

v.30Jesus 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.

v.31This passage

v.32And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 38:10

    My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

  • Job 6:14

    To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

  • Psalms 142:4

    Look onmy right hand, and see; For there is no man that knoweth me: Refuge hath failed me; No man careth for my soul.

  • Hosea 6:9

    And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem; yea, they have committed lewdness.

  • Malachi 1:10

    Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle fire on mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

  • Jeremiah 5:31

    the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

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