πανδοχεῖον (pandocheion)
pandocheion
inn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pandocheion refers to a public inn or caravanserai, specifically designed to receive travelers and strangers. Its structure combines words meaning "all" and "to receive," highlighting its function as a place open to everyone who arrives. In the ancient world, these establishments served as vital hubs for commerce and travel along major routes.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 10:34. It describes the location where the Good Samaritan tends to the injured man, providing a concrete setting for his compassion. The term distinguishes this lodging from private homes, emphasizing its role as a commercial space for hospitality.
Translators typically render pandocheion as "inn" or "hotel," capturing its nature as a public house. The use of this specific term underscores the Samaritan’s willingness to spend resources in a formal setting, rather than simply offering temporary aid on the roadside. It reflects a broader cultural understanding of organized hospitality in the first century.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pandocheion describes a public inn where travelers could find rest and safety. In Luke’s account, the Good Samaritan brings the injured man to this place, showing that true care often involves going beyond a quick glance or a brief moment of pity. It represents a commitment to see the work through, ensuring the stranger is safe and tended to properly.
This image reminds us that faith in action requires both compassion and follow-through. When we encounter those who are hurting, whether physically or emotionally, we are invited to offer more than just sympathy. We can provide practical help, creating a space where healing can begin. The inn stands as a symbol of open doors and ready hands.
God calls us to be like the Samaritan, looking for opportunities to serve. Whether through a simple act of kindness or a longer-term commitment, our love should be tangible. May we find the strength to open our hearts and homes to those in need, reflecting God’s own welcoming grace to everyone we meet.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an inn1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πανδοχεῖον1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:34
came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
This verse highlights the Samaritan's decision to invest time and resources by taking the injured man to a formal lodging, ensuring his care continued beyond the immediate roadside rescue.