The lawyer asked," Who is my neighbor?"
Luke 10:31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
By chance, however, a priest, a somebody, came down near the road there and, seeing him, passed by on the opposite side.
Some of us go our of our way to avoid helping people.
The verse uses one unique word and another word used only here and in the next verse. The unique word means "chance" and it is only found in one other text of ancient Greek. The rare word means "passed by on the opposite side." It is a one-word punchline that delivers a complicated idea. It is set up by the "seeing him."
The Greek word translated as "certain" in the KJV and left out of the NIV, is a word that means "anybody" or "somebody." Jesus uses it to emphasize in a humorous way someone's importance. The sense is "a man, a somebody."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "certain" should be something more like "somebody."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "by" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "that" is the common word that should be translated as "here" or "there."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "saw" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "somebody" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "happened" should be something more like "by chance."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "to be" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "going" is an active verb not a participle.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "by" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "same" should be something more like "there."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "saw" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "man" should be something more like "him."
And -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. (This word doesn't mean "and."
by -- The word translated as "by" means "down from," "down into," "against," "opposite," "separately," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally." As an adverb is means "downward" or "down."
chance -The word translated as "chance" means "chance" and it is used uniquely here, In the database of ancient Greek it is found only one other place, appearing once in Hippocrates.
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
came -- The verb translated as "comes down" means "to go down," but the root word means "to step" or "to walk" so, with the prefix, the sense is "steps down," which I find more poetic. When speaking of the sky, we say in English that things "come down" not "go down." The "down" is from the prefix of the verb that means "down."
down - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
certain -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "certain" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
priest -- The Greek noun translated as "priest" means "priest," "sacrificer," and "diviner." -
missing "by" -- (MW) The untranslated word "by" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
that -. (CW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here." "
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "word" is not shown in the English translation.
way: -- "Way" is from a word meaning "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." In Acts, followers of Jesus are described as those "belonging to the way."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
when -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
saw -- (WF) "Saw" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
him, -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, singular, masculine as a direct object of a verb or preposition.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
passed by on the other side. -The unique word translated as "pass by the opposite side is used only here and in the next verse. It is a combination of a common verb for "pass by" with a prefix meaning "opposite".
missing "however" -- (MW) The untranslated word "however" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. (This word doesn't mean "and."
A -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
missing "somebody" -- (MW) The untranslated word "somebody" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
priest -- The Greek noun translated as "priest" means "priest," "sacrificer," and "diviner." -
happened -- (WW) This comes from two Grek words meaning "by chance". It is not a verb. The word "by" means "down from," "down into," "against," "opposite," "separately," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally." As an adverb is means "downward" or "down." The word "chance" is used uniquely here, In the database of ancient Greek it is found only one other place, appearing once in Hippocrates. This word doesn't mean "happened." This is not a verb but a phrase.
to be -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
going -- (WF) The verb translated as "comes down" means "to go down," but the root word means "to step" or "to walk" so, with the prefix, the sense is "steps down," which I find more poetic. When speaking of the sky, we say in English that things "come down" not "go down." The "down" is from the prefix of the verb that means "down." This is an active verb not a participle.
down - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
missing "by" -- (MW) The untranslated word "by" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
same -. (WW) The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." So it means "there," "here," or "then." Used a pronoun, the sense is "that one there" or "this one here."
road: -- "Road" is from a word meaning "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." In Acts, followers of Jesus are described as those "belonging to the way."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
when -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
saw -- (WF) "Saw" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
man, -- (WW) The word translated as "him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, singular, masculine as a direct object of a verb or preposition.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
passed by on the other side. -The unique word translated as "pass by the opposite side is used only here and in the next verse. It is a combination of a common verb for "pass by" with a prefix meaning "opposite".
κατὰ [60 verses](prep/adv) "By" is kata can be a preposition or an adverb. As a preposition with the genitive, it means, means "downwards," "down from," "down into," "against," "down toward," "down (from)," "by," and, or time, "for." With the accusative, it means "down (to)," "according to," "about," "by," " during," of motion, "on," "over," "throughout a space," "opposite," "separately," "individually," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally." As an adverb, it means "according as," "just as," "in so far as," "wherefore," "like as if" and "exactly as." As an adverb is means "downward" or "down."
συγκυρίαν [1 verse](noun sg fem acc) "Chance" is sygkyria, which means "chance".
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
ἱερεύς [8 verses] (noun sg masc nom) "Priest"is from hiereus, which means "priest," "sacrificer," and "diviner."
τις [252 verses] (pron sg masc nom) "Certain" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end? -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
κατέβαινεν [26 verses] (verb 3rd sg imperf ind act) "There came down" is katabaino, which means "go down," "come down from," and "dismount from." Metaphorically, it means "attain," "conform to," "condescend," "fall in value," and "arrive at the end [of a speech]."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) Untranslated is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τῇ [821 verses](noun sg fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
ὁδῷ [27 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Way"is hodos, which means literally "way" or "road" but it also means "travel" and "journey." It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in many languages from the west to the east.
ἐκείνῃ, [107 verses] (adj sg fem dat ) "That" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," and, in the form of an adverb, "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner." With certain preposition, it has a specific meaning:ἐξ ἐκείνου from that time, κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνα in that place, there, μετ᾽ ἐκεῖνα afterwards
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
ἰδὼν [52 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Saw" is idou, which means "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see." This Greek word was translated into the Latin ecce, "behold."
αὐτὸν [124 verses](pron/adj sg masc acc) "Him/It" is auton, is the masculine, accusative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. Masculine pronouns can refer to things as well as people, so it can be it." The word also means "the same," and "of one's own accord." An accusative object of a preposition indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. However, masculine pronouns refer to masculine nouns, not just masculine people so this word can mean "it" as well as "he." As a preposition's object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time.
ἀντιπαρῆλθεν: [2 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "He passed on the other side" is antiparerchomai, which means "pass by on the opposite side", "come up and help", "enter in place of", and "penetrate".