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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus didn't just describe a brutal attack; he highlighted the robbers' utter indifference. They didn't care if he lived or died, leaving him "half dead" – a stark picture of dehumanizing cruelty where a person's value is completely disregarded. This isn't just a story about violence; it's about the chilling lack of compassion that allows suffering to continue.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This story unfolds as Jesus answers a lawyer's question about how to inherit eternal life, which Jesus turns back on him by asking him to interpret the law. The lawyer then asks, "Who is my neighbor?" prompting Jesus to tell the parable of the man attacked on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. After the parable, Jesus asks the lawyer who acted as a neighbor, forcing him to confront his own understanding of love and compassion.
Ever felt like you're on a dangerous road, vulnerable to unexpected attacks? This parable starts with a stark reality check.
Jesus paints a vivid picture of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. This wasn't just any road; it was notorious for danger.
A Road of Robbery
Imagine losing everything and being left broken. The robbers didn't just take possessions; they inflicted deep wounds.
The brutal encounter leaves the traveler in a critical state, highlighting the devastating impact of violence and neglect.
The Cost of the Attack
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This man's plight is more than just a story; it's a profound symbol of the human condition.
The traveler's condition serves as a powerful metaphor for humanity's state apart from divine intervention.
More Than Just a Traveler
The parable of the Good Samaritan is set against the backdrop of a notoriously dangerous road, emphasizing the extreme risks travelers faced and the moral failure of those who passed by.
c. 70 BC
Herod the Great's Construction Projects
Herod the Great undertook significant building projects, including fortifying Jericho and constructing roads. This also led to a large number of unemployed men, some of whom turned to banditry.
c. 30 BC - c. AD 10
High Incidence of Robbery
Judea, particularly the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, was notorious for its dangerous terrain and high incidence of robberies and murders. The area was frequently patrolled by Roman soldiers, but bandits still posed a significant threat.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan
During His ministry, Jesus encounters a lawyer who asks how to inherit eternal life. In response, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, with the man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and being attacked by robbers.
c. AD 62
Destruction of Jericho
Jericho was destroyed by the Roman general Vespasian during the First Jewish-Roman War. This event, though after Jesus' parable, highlights the city's historical vulnerability.
This passage describes Joseph being stripped of his robe, mirroring the violence and loss the man in Luke experiences. It highlights how easily one can be victimized by others, even those close by.
Psalm 38:5-7The psalmist cries out about his wounds and sores, creating a vivid parallel to the beaten and half-dead state of the man in the parable. It speaks to the deep suffering and helplessness that can come upon a person.
Isaiah 1:6This verse paints a grim picture of a land struck with 'wounds and bruises and putrefying sores,' much like the victim in Luke's parable. It reflects a state of utter devastation and brokenness.
Matthew 5:38-40While not directly about suffering, Jesus' teaching here contrasts with the violent actions of the robbers. It sets up the expectation of a different kind of response than what the man receives from the priest and Levite.
1 Corinthians 12:26This verse speaks to the interconnectedness of the body of Christ, where if one part suffers, all suffer with it. It provides a spiritual framework for understanding the profound empathy the Samaritan shows.
vincentLuke 10:30: "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."
Answering (ὑπολαβὼν)Used by Luke only, and in this sense only here. See on Luke 7:43. It means, strictly, to take up; and hence, of conversation, to take up another's discourse and reply.Fell amongSee on James 1:2.Thieves (λῃσταῖς)See on Matthew 26:55; and Luke 23:39-43. These were not pett…
wesleyLuke 10:30: "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."
10:30 From Jerusalem to Jericho - The road from Jerusalem to Jericho (about eighteen miles from it) lay through desert and rocky places: so many robberies and murders were committed therein, that it was called the bloody way. Jericho was situated in the valley: hence the phrase of going down to…
Jesus didn't just describe a brutal attack; he highlighted the robbers' utter indifference. They didn't care if he lived or died, leaving him "half dead" – a stark picture of dehumanizing cruelty where a person's value is completely disregarded. This isn't just a story about violence; it's about the chilling lack of compassion that allows suffering to continue.
This story unfolds as Jesus answers a lawyer's question about how to inherit eternal life, which Jesus turns back on him by asking him to interpret the law. The lawyer then asks, "Who is my neighbor?" prompting Jesus to tell the parable of the man attacked on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. After the parable, Jesus asks the lawyer who acted as a neighbor, forcing him to confront his own understanding of love and compassion.
This story unfolds as Jesus answers a lawyer's question about how to inherit eternal life, which Jesus turns back on him by asking him to interpret the law. The lawyer then asks, "Who is my neighbor?" prompting Jesus to tell the parable of the man attacked on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. After the parable, Jesus asks the lawyer who acted as a neighbor, forcing him to confront his own understanding of love and compassion.
"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." — Jesus didn't just describe a brutal attack; he highlighted the robbers' utter indifference. They didn't care if he lived or died, leaving him "half dead" – a stark picture of dehumanizing cruelty whe…
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Last reviewed October 2026