In biblical times, the concept of a "passer-by" often held significant cultural and spiritual implications. The term generally refers to someone who is traveling or moving past a particular location without any intention of staying. This notion is frequently encountered in Scripture, where passers-by are sometimes witnesses to events or participants in parables and teachings.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, passers-by are occasionally mentioned in the context of witnessing events or as part of a narrative setting. For example, in the account of the Levite's concubine in Judges 19, the presence of passers-by in the city square highlights the inhospitable nature of the town of Gibeah. The Levite and his concubine are left vulnerable until an old man offers them shelter, illustrating the societal expectation of hospitality towards travelers.

Proverbs also makes mention of passers-by in the context of wisdom literature. Proverbs 9:15-16 describes Folly as calling out to those who pass by, "calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight: 'Let all who are simple come in here!' she says to those who lack judgment." This passage uses the imagery of a passer-by to convey the idea of being easily led astray by foolishness if one is not discerning.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the role of passers-by is often more pronounced, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. One of the most notable instances is found in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). Here, Jesus describes a man who is attacked by robbers and left for dead. Several individuals, including a priest and a Levite, pass by the injured man without offering assistance. It is the Samaritan, a social outcast, who stops and provides aid. This parable uses the concept of a passer-by to challenge societal norms and emphasize the importance of compassion and mercy.

Another significant mention of passers-by occurs during the crucifixion of Jesus. In Mark 15:29-30 , it is recorded, "Those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, come down from the cross and save Yourself!'" Here, the passers-by serve as a representation of the scorn and disbelief that Jesus faced, fulfilling the prophetic words of Psalm 22:7-8.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The presence of passers-by in biblical narratives often serves to highlight themes of hospitality, compassion, and the human tendency to overlook or ignore those in need. In the cultural context of the Bible, hospitality was a highly valued virtue, and the treatment of travelers and strangers was seen as a reflection of one's character and faithfulness to God's commandments.

Theologically, the concept of a passer-by can also be seen as a metaphor for the transient nature of life and the importance of making righteous choices. Just as a passer-by moves through a place without settling, believers are reminded that their time on earth is temporary and that they should focus on eternal values.

In summary, the role of passers-by in the Bible serves as a narrative device to convey deeper spiritual truths and moral lessons, encouraging believers to live lives marked by compassion, hospitality, and discernment.(n.) One who goes by; a passer.3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble
... a , carrying someone along. That is, like a tumultuous pushing the entrapped
passer-by to destination. [3791 () is literally "having ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3791.htm - 7k

3855. parago -- to lead by, to pass by or away
... Word Origin from para and ago Definition to lead by, to pass by or away NASB Word
Usage going along (1), passed (2), passer-by (1), passing (1), passing away (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3855.htm - 6k

5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... 29), passed (48), passed along (1), passed away (2), passed beyond (1), passed over
(9), passed through (6), passed throughout (1), passer-by (2), passers-by (1 ...
/hebrew/5674a.htm - 7k

Pray for the Church in Syria.
... My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches that have received me
in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter ix pray for the church.htm

The Blind Beggar
... my eyes too; for if the worst case has been cured, then surely mine may be." Many
and many a day as he sat there, he would call to the passer by again, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm

Arrival
... Yet to an every day passer-by neither when he travels across the Brooklyn bridge
rubbing elbows with the scores of the masses of humanity that hasten their way ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter ii arrival.htm

The Night of the Soul
... but I have always felt, in comparing myself with the Saints, that I am as far removed
from them as the grain of sand, which the passer-by tramples underfoot ...
//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter ix the night of.htm

San Josef
... The vega is usually a highly cultivated cane-piece, where great lizards sit in the
mouths of their burrows, and watch the passer by with intense interest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ix san josef.htm

From a Hindu Point of view
... wooden spike. As I was wondering what it was a passer-by explained it. It
is not a sun-dial, it is an impaling instrument. On that ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxvi from a hindu.htm

the Night of the Soul
... but I have always felt, in comparing myself with the Saints, that I am as far removed
from them as the grain of sand, which the passer-by tramples underfoot ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter ix - the night.htm

To Cledonius the Priest against Apollinarius. (Ep. Ci. )
... I desire to learn what is this fashion of innovation in things Concerning the Church,
which allows anyone who likes, or the passerby, [4697] as the Bible says ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/to cledonius the priest against.htm

A Coffin in Egypt
... Many a passer-by would pause for a moment, and think; Here is the end of dignity
second only to Pharaoh's, to this has come that strong brain, that true heart ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a coffin in egypt.htm

The Fourfold Gospel. John's the First Fruits of the Four. ...
... us to interpret in a worthy manner this work, though it be committed to the earthly
treasure-house of common speech, of writing which any passer-by can read ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 the fourfold gospel johns.htm

Passer-by (5 Occurrences)
Passer-by. Passer, Passer-by. Passers . Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One
who goes by; a passer. Multi-Version Concordance Passer-by (5 Occurrences). ...
/p/passer-by.htm - 7k

Passer (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 18:16 To make their land become a desolation, A hissing age-during, Every
passerby it is astonished, And bemoaneth with his head. (YLT). ...
/p/passer.htm - 9k

Passenger (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A passer or passer-by; a wayfarer. 2.
(n.) A traveler by some established conveyance, as a coach ...
/p/passenger.htm - 10k

Hissed (6 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Jeremiah 18:16 To make their land become a desolation, A hissing age-during,
Every passerby it is astonished, And bemoaneth with his head. (See RSV). ...
/h/hissed.htm - 8k

Passes (74 Occurrences)
... desolation -- all of it. Every passerby at Babylon is astonished, And doth
hiss because of all her plagues. (See NAS RSV). Jeremiah 51:43 ...
/p/passes.htm - 28k

Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 18:16 To make their land become a desolation, A hissing age-during, Every
passerby it is astonished, And bemoaneth with his head. (YLT NAS). ...
/d/desolation.htm - 46k

Fig (45 Occurrences)
... "This tree, so to speak, vaunted itself to be in advance of all the other trees,
challenged the passer-by that he should come and refresh himself with its fruit ...
/f/fig.htm - 33k

Multiplying (23 Occurrences)
... 25 At every head of the way thou hast built thy high place, And thou dost make thy
beauty abominable, And dost open wide thy feet to every passerby, And dost ...
/m/multiplying.htm - 13k

Passers (3 Occurrences)

/p/passers.htm - 7k

Bemoaneth (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 18:16 To make their land become a desolation, A hissing age-during, Every
passerby it is astonished, And bemoaneth with his head. (YLT). ...
/b/bemoaneth.htm - 6k

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