Keathley makes several interesting points that the Priest and Levite mentioned in the Parable of the Prodigal Son were leaving Jerusalem and could not use the excuse that they did not want to touch the man and be unclean for worship. Why? They had already accomplished their duties and were heading home. In fact, the story shows their hypocrisy. They had just been to worship God (love God), but did not help the wounded man (love your neighbor). His refusal to love his neighbor casts doubt on his love for God.
The Priest was an expert in the law and undoubtedly knew of laws like those in Ex 23:4-5 which commanded that you help your enemy’s donkey if he was lost or overburdened, but he was unwilling to help a human in distress. And remember, this was a Jewish victim on the road. Many Jews defined their "neiighbor" as only someone who is a Jew.
The Levite was also from the tribe responsible for spiritual leadership of the nation. He also would “know” the law and what was required of him. What did they do? Both ignored the wounded man lying in the road. These two represent people caught up in lifeless religion. They play religous games at worship, but it does not affect the way that they live.
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