Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 10:32

"And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side." — Luke 10:32 (ASV)

Priests served in the temple; their highest duty was to offer sacrifices. Levites assisted in the maintenance of the temple services and order. We are not told why the priest and Levite refused to help, but the point of the story seems to require that the priest and the Levite have no legitimate excuse.

The terrain from Jerusalem to Jericho is rugged and isolated. In Bible times, robbers would hide in the hills and caves.