Understanding ἀντιπαρέρχομαι (antiparerchomai) Strong’s G492: The Profound Meaning Behind “Passing By On The Opposite Side” in the Good Samaritan Parable

Pronunciation Guide: an-tee-par-ER-khom-ahee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G492: A compound verb meaning “to pass by on the opposite side,” specifically indicating deliberate avoidance by crossing to the other side of a path or road. This word powerfully conveys intentional disregard or evasion of responsibility, particularly in contexts of showing mercy. The term appears twice, exclusively in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, describing the actions of both the priest and the Levite.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from three elements: ἀντί (anti, “opposite”) + παρά (para, “alongside”) + ἔρχομαι (erchomai, “to come/go”)
• Appears in narrative teaching (parable) context
• Deponent verb (middle/passive form with active meaning)
• First person singular present indicative form

ἀντιπαρέρχομαι Morphology:

• ἀντιπαρέρχομαι (present indicative) – I pass by on the opposite side
• ἀντιπαρῆλθεν (aorist indicative) – he/she/it passed by on the opposite side
• ἀντιπαρερχόμενος (present participle) – passing by on the opposite side

Origin & History

The word ἀντιπαρέρχομαι represents a masterful composition in Koine Greek, demonstrating the language’s capacity for precise expression through compound words. While the individual components were common in classical Greek literature, this specific compound form appears to be a uniquely biblical creation, possibly coined by Luke to capture the deliberate nature of the priest and Levite’s avoidance in the Good Samaritan parable.

In extra-biblical literature, the closest parallel usage appears in Josephus’s “Antiquities of the Jews” (4.8.37), where he uses παρέρχομαι to describe people passing by others in need. The addition of ἀντί in Luke’s account adds the crucial element of deliberate avoidance by crossing to the opposite side.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Deliberate avoidance by crossing to the opposite side
• Intentional circumvention of a situation or person
• Strategic evasion of responsibility
• Physical and moral distancing from a need

ἀντιπαρέρχομαι Translation Options:

• “Passed by on the opposite side” – Captures both the physical action and moral implications
• “Deliberately avoided” – Emphasizes the intentional nature of the action
• “Crossed over to avoid” – Highlights the physical movement involved
• “Went out of his way to pass by” – Conveys the extra effort made to avoid involvement

Biblical Usage

The term appears twice in the New Testament, both occurrences in Luke’s account of the Good Samaritan parable. Its usage is particularly powerful as it describes the actions of both a priest and a Levite – religious figures who would have been expected to show compassion and fulfill the Torah’s commands regarding care for others.

• “[καὶ ἀντιπαρῆλθεν] passed by on the opposite side” Luke 10:31
• “[καὶ ἀντιπαρῆλθεν] passed by on the opposite side” Luke 10:32

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, priests and Levites were bound by strict purity laws. Contact with a bloody or dead body would render them ceremonially unclean, preventing them from performing their Temple duties. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notorious for robberies and accidents, making it a common sight to see injured travelers. The use of ἀντιπαρέρχομαι suggests these religious leaders made a conscious decision to prioritize ritual purity over the biblical command to love one’s neighbor.

The physical act of crossing to the other side of the road would have been immediately recognizable to Jesus’s audience as a deliberate attempt to avoid ritual impurity. This action would have created the maximum possible distance between the religious officials and the injured man, ensuring no accidental contact that might render them unclean.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀντιπαρέρχομαι serves as a powerful indictment of religious formalism that prioritizes ritual observance over human need. Through this carefully chosen word, the Messiah exposes the fundamental misunderstanding of Torah that allows religious leaders to justify neglecting the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

This word carries profound implications for understanding יהוה (Yahweh)’s heart for mercy over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). The contrast between the religious leaders who “pass by on the opposite side” and the Samaritan who “came to where he was” (Luke 10:33) mirrors the incarnational ministry of the Messiah Himself, who did not remain distant but drew near to save us.

Personal Application

The word ἀντιπαρέρχομαι challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions when confronted with human need. How often do we make conscious decisions to “cross to the other side,” whether physically or metaphorically, to avoid getting involved in messy situations? The word calls us to consider what rationalizations we use to justify our own avoidance of helping others.

Related Words

• παρέρχομαι (parerchomai) – to pass by, pass away; less emphatic form without the deliberate avoidance component See G3928
• προσέρχομαι (proserchomai) – to come toward, approach; opposite meaning, indicating movement toward rather than away See G4334
• παράγω (paragō) – to pass by, go past; similar meaning but without the element of deliberate avoidance See G3855
• διέρχομαι (dierchomai) – to go through, pass through; neutral term for movement without moral implications See G1330

Did you Know?

• The road from Jerusalem to Jericho descended approximately 3,300 feet over just 17 miles, making it not only dangerous due to robbers but also physically challenging to cross back and forth, highlighting the deliberate effort made to avoid the injured man.
• The word ἀντιπαρέρχομαι is one of the longest verb forms in the New Testament, consisting of three distinct components that work together to paint a precise picture of intentional avoidance.
• Modern Greek still uses the root word παρέρχομαι in legal contexts to describe the act of allowing a deadline to pass by without taking action, preserving the sense of deliberate non-engagement found in the biblical usage.

Remember This

ἀντιπαρέρχομαι stands as a powerful linguistic testimony to how religious observance without compassion becomes a deliberate journey away from God’s heart.