ἀντιπαρέρχομαι (antiparerchomai)
antiparerchomai
to pass
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb antiparerchomai describes the specific action of passing by on the opposite side. Its meaning is built from two parts: anti, meaning "against" or "opposite," and parerchomai, meaning "to pass by." This creates a vivid image of someone moving along a path while another person walks past them in the other direction, maintaining a clear separation between their two routes.
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Luke 10:31-32. It is used to describe the actions of travelers who encounter a wounded man on the road to Jericho. The priest and the Levite are said to antiparerchomai—passing by on the opposite side of the road—rather than stopping to help. The term captures not just movement, but a deliberate choice to keep distance.
Its rarity makes its usage in this parable particularly striking. By choosing a word that emphasizes physical separation and parallel but divergent paths, the text highlights the moral failure of those who saw the need yet refused to cross their path. The verb itself does not imply malice, only a refusal to engage, making the contrast with the Samaritan’s intervention all the more powerful.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word antiparerchomai paints a quiet but heavy picture of avoidance. It describes someone walking past another person on the opposite side of the road, keeping a clear physical distance. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, both the priest and the Levite used this specific action to show they chose not to engage with the wounded man’s suffering. They saw him, yet they deliberately maintained their separation.
This word reminds us that faith is often measured by what we choose to do when we encounter need. It is easy to walk on; it takes courage to cross over. The text does not accuse these men of active hatred, but of passive indifference. Their failure was in refusing to let the other’s pain interrupt their own journey.
For your daily life, this word invites a gentle check-in. When you see someone struggling, are you passing by on the other side? The call is not to judge those who walk past, but to ask God for the grace to stop. May you find strength in choosing connection over convenience, and kindness over distance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- passed by opposite.1×
- he passed by opposite.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀντιπαρῆλθεν.2×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:31
By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
This verse establishes the first instance of avoidance, showing how religious duty did not compel the priest to help.
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Luke 10:32
In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
The Levite repeats the exact same action, emphasizing that this was a conscious choice to maintain distance rather than an accident.