Luke 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.
Luke 10:30 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse you are referring to, found in the book of Luke 10:30, is part of a parable told by Jesus known as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable, Jesus uses the story of a man who is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, only to be attacked by thieves, stripped of his belongings, and left half dead on the side of the road. The meaning behind this parable is to teach the importance of showing compassion and kindness to others, regardless of their background or circumstances. In the story, it is a Samaritan, who was traditionally seen as an enemy of the Jewish people, who stops to help the injured man, showing love and mercy towards someone in need. Through this parable, Jesus illustrates the true meaning of being a good neighbor and emphasizes the importance of caring for one another in times of need.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse is that it serves as a parable told by Jesus to illustrate the concept of loving thy neighbor as oneself. In this parable, the man who fell among thieves represents humanity in need of help and salvation. The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho is symbolic of the fall of humanity from a heavenly state to a fallen one due to sin. The actions of the thieves stripping him of his raiment and leaving him half dead represent the effects of sin and evil in the world, causing spiritual and physical harm. Jesus' mention of a Samaritan being the one to show compassion and help the man can be seen as a reminder that love and mercy can come from unexpected sources and that true love knows no boundaries. This parable teaches the importance of compassion, kindness, and caring for others, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Luke 10:30 in other translations
American Standard Version
Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
World English Bible
Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Douay-Rheims
And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who also stripped him and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Iesus answered, and saide, A certaine man went downe from Hierusalem to Iericho, and fell among theeues, and they robbed him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leauing him halfe dead.