Passers-by
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In biblical times, the term "passers-by" refers to individuals who are traveling or moving past a particular location. This concept appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often highlighting the transient nature of human life and the interactions between individuals and communities.

Old Testament References

One notable mention of passers-by is found in the context of judgment and desolation. In the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem, and the city is personified as a woman who calls out to those passing by: "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain, which was inflicted on me, which the LORD has brought on me in the day of His fierce anger" (Lamentations 1:12). Here, passers-by are witnesses to the suffering and devastation that has befallen the city, serving as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience.

In the wisdom literature, the book of Proverbs uses the imagery of passers-by to convey moral lessons. Proverbs 7:8-9 describes a young man lacking judgment who "was passing through the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, in the dark of night" . This passage warns against the dangers of temptation and the importance of avoiding situations that lead to sin.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of passers-by is illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells the account of a man who was 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 to help and shows compassion (Luke 10:30-37). This parable emphasizes the call to love one's neighbor and to act with mercy and kindness, regardless of societal boundaries.

Another significant mention of passers-by occurs during the crucifixion of Jesus. As He hung on the cross, those who passed by mocked Him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!" (Matthew 27:39-40). This scene highlights the scorn and disbelief of the onlookers, contrasting with the profound sacrifice Jesus was making for humanity's redemption.

Theological Implications

The presence of passers-by in biblical narratives often serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making righteous choices. In a world where individuals frequently encounter various situations and people, the Scriptures encourage believers to be mindful of their actions and to demonstrate love and compassion to all, reflecting the character of Christ.

Passers-by also remind readers of the importance of witnessing and responding to the needs of others. Whether through acts of mercy, as in the parable of the Good Samaritan, or through the acknowledgment of suffering, as seen in Lamentations, the Bible calls believers to be attentive and responsive to the world around them.
Strong's Hebrew
5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... 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), passes (18 ...
/hebrew/5674a.htm - 7k
Library

Of what Kind we are to Reckon the Rest (Requies), and End (Finis) ...
... scar, that from thence he might learn that there had been a wound; or wished to
see the window, that through the window he might see the passers-by: all these ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 of what kind we.htm

Whether Intention of the End is the Same Act as the Volition of ...
... the will to see the window, has for its end the seeing of the window; and is another
act from the will to see, through the window, the passersby." But that I ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether intention of the end.htm

Psalm CXXIX.
... any work in the field, or in the vineyard, or in harvest, or anything of the sort;
it was not lawful to pass by without a blessing....Who are the passers by? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxix.htm

My Dream Message
... And many a time since have I looked out upon the passers-by or listened to their
merriment, and have said to myself, "I would not exchange places with you; for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-five my dream message.htm

Hebrews xi. 13-16
... our shameful deeds, nor permitting others to do so, but lying exposed to public
shame, to the ridicule, the numberless jests of spectators and passers-by. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiv hebrews xi 13-16.htm

Death of Jesus.
... this inscription. The numerous passers-by who read it were offended. The
priests ... of humanity. The passers-by insulted him. He heard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxv death of jesus.htm

Acts of Paul and Thecla.
... And he went along the road to Lystra, and stood waiting for him, and kept looking
at the passers by according to the description of Titus. ...
/.../unknown/acts of paul and thecla/acts of paul and thecla.htm

Acknowledgment of Her Excellence and Wisdom.
... resemble fountains of the purest water; for they allure by their beauty
passers-by to drink of them, even though these should not be thirsty. ...
/.../chapter i acknowledgment of her excellence.htm

The Resurrection
... Death has become like a tyrant who has been completely conquered by the legitimate
monarch; bound hand and foot the passers-by sneer at him, hitting him and ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 5 the resurrection.htm

He Restoreth My Soul.
... and Heaven." Then Pleasure, with dimpled cheeks and laughing eyes, and words that
sound like music to the ears, hurries out to greet the passers-by, and charms ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/v he restoreth my soul.htm

Thesaurus
Passers-by (9 Occurrences)
Passers-by. Passers, Passers-by. Passes . Multi-Version Concordance
Passers-by (9 Occurrences). Matthew 27:39 And the passers-by reviled Him. ...
/p/passers-by.htm - 9k

Passers (3 Occurrences)
... regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown
away and trodden on by the passersby. (WEY). Psalms 129:8 ...
/p/passers.htm - 7k

Shook (33 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shook (33 Occurrences). Matthew 27:39 And the
passers-by reviled Him. ... (See NIV). Mark 15:29 And all the passers-by reviled Him. ...
/s/shook.htm - 16k

Yesterday (13 Occurrences)
... And yesterday My people for an enemy doth raise himself up, From the outer garment
the honourable ornament ye strip off, From the confident passersby, Ye who ...
/y/yesterday.htm - 10k

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... his own virtual death. He had further to warn passers-by to keep away from
him, by calling out, `Unclean! unclean!' nor could he ...
/l/leprosy.htm - 37k

Longer (373 Occurrences)
... saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden
on by the passersby. (WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew ...
/l/longer.htm - 36k

Thrown (126 Occurrences)
... its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and
trodden on by the passersby. (WEY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew ...
/t/thrown.htm - 37k

Tasteless (4 Occurrences)
... regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown
away and trodden on by the passersby. (WEY NAS). Mark 9:50 ...
/t/tasteless.htm - 7k

Roughly (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Proverbs 26:10 A master roughly worketh every
one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by. (DBY). ...
/r/roughly.htm - 8k

Regain (12 Occurrences)
... regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown
away and trodden on by the passersby. (WEY). Mark 10:51 ...
/r/regain.htm - 10k

Resources
Where was Jesus crucified? | GotQuestions.org

What is a prayer closet? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Passers-by (9 Occurrences)

Matthew 27:39
And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him
(WEY DBY)

Mark 15:29
And all the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him and said, "Ah! you who were for destroying the Sanctuary and building a new one in three days,
(WEY)

Psalms 129:8
Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!
(DBY)

Proverbs 9:15
to call passers-by who go right on their ways:
(DBY)

Proverbs 26:10
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 39:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there for burial in Israel, the valley of the passers-by to the east of the sea; and it shall stop the way of the passers-by; and there shall they bury Gog and all the multitude; and they shall call it, Valley of Hamon-Gog.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 39:14
And they shall sever out men of continual employment to go through the land, who, with the passers-by, shall bury those that remain upon the face of the land, to cleanse it: at the end of seven months shall they make a search.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 39:15
And the passers-by shall pass through the land, and when any seeth a man's bone, he shall set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-Gog.
(DBY)

Micah 2:8
And yesterday My people for an enemy doth raise himself up, From the outer garment the honourable ornament ye strip off, From the confident passers by, Ye who are turning back from war.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Passers-by

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Seeking (182 Occurrences)

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Places (610 Occurrences)

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Thereby (42 Occurrences)

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Twenty (282 Occurrences)

Object (76 Occurrences)

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Wounds (57 Occurrences)

Pass (1172 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Scorn (65 Occurrences)

Often (74 Occurrences)

Bird (65 Occurrences)

Wind (180 Occurrences)

Place (9195 Occurrences)

Rest (831 Occurrences)

Sheol (64 Occurrences)

Ruins (84 Occurrences)

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Kidron (11 Occurrences)

Nave (19 Occurrences)

Nob (6 Occurrences)

Understand (208 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Ulai (2 Occurrences)

Upward (74 Occurrences)

Outpost (7 Occurrences)

Observing (28 Occurrences)

Jabbok (7 Occurrences)

Joyous (10 Occurrences)

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Leach (1 Occurrence)

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Lasts (9 Occurrences)

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Gorge (19 Occurrences)

Goes (472 Occurrences)

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Whatever (411 Occurrences)

Waterless (7 Occurrences)

Way (7551 Occurrences)

Weighs (12 Occurrences)

World (2829 Occurrences)

Imprisons (2 Occurrences)

Inheritance (263 Occurrences)

Iphtahel (2 Occurrences)

Issue (59 Occurrences)

Iniquity (299 Occurrences)

Passersby
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