What made the Samaritan stop?

The NIV translates it as "pity." The Greek word behind it goes much deeper.

What made the Samaritan stop? The answer is in one word.    But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:33 (NIV)    Pity. The Greek word behind it—splanchnizomai—is anything but ordinary.    Start with the English. Go Deeper with the Greek. This is how a word study works on Bible Gateway—and with Bible Gateway Plus, the whole process takes about 60 seconds.   Step 1: Turn on the Reverse Interlinear.  The NIV Reverse Interlinear, available with Bible Gateway Plus, shows the original language behind each English word as you read.   Open any passage, go to Page Options, and check Reverse Interlinear. The original Greek (or Hebrew) appears directly beneath each English word as you read—no seminary degree required.   In Luke 10:33, hovering over "pity" reveals the Greek root: splanchnizomai. Step 2: Look it up in a trusted dictionary. Click the Resources tab on any passage page. Under Dictionaries, open Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words—one of 70+ resources available with Bible Gateway Plus.   Here's what Mounce's says about splanchnizomai: (Have) Compassion — σπλαγχνίζομαι (splanchnizomai), GK 5072 (S 4697), 12x.  splanchnizomai means "to have compassion for someone, show compassion." This verb carries the idea of being moved in the inner parts of the body. The ancients thought of the inward parts of the body (i.e., the entrails) as being the seat of emotions. In English we usually refer to the "heart," but we also talk of a person having "visceral" feelings; note how true compassion can affect us in the pit of our stomachs.  The Samaritan wasn't simply polite. He wasn't dutiful. He was moved—physically, involuntarily—at the sight of someone in need.  Step 3: Apply it. Where in your own life have you felt that kind of involuntary, visceral compassion—and what did you do with it?  Every passage has words worth looking up.   With Bible Gateway Plus, the tools to do this kind of study are always open beside your Bible—30+ study Bibles, 15+ commentaries, and reference tools like Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary, right alongside every verse you read. You don't need a library. You just need a passage and a word that stops you.  Monthly plan: $6.99/month  Yearly plan: $69.99/year—just $5.83/month*  *Choose yearly and get 2 months free.  Start Your Free Trial 7 days free. Cancel anytime.  Have any questions? Please write to us at support@biblegateway.com. *The Bible Gateway Plus sale is valid through June 15, 2026. All prices are USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The 7-day free trial is available to new subscribers only.   This email was sent to alitealbum.biblegateway@blogger.com by 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. You received this email because you are signed up for communications from Bible Gateway. If you have questions or comments about this email, please contact us.   Manage all Bible Gateway communication | Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication   VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER  ►