Luke 10:31

By chance. Or, “by coincidence.”

There came down. That is, from Jerusalem to Jericho (see on v. 30).

A certain priest. Both the priest and the Levite were returning from their appointed term of service at the Temple (COL 382; cf. on ch. 1:5, 9, 23).

Passed by. Evidently, as if he had not seen; actually, because he did not care. Hypocrisy became a cloak, as it were, to protect selfishness from inconvenience. The unfortunate wayfarer, naked and wounded (see vs. 30, 34), was no doubt covered with blood and dirt. If this hapless individual had been dead, it would have meant ritual defilement for either priest or Levite to touch him (see Num. 19:11-22). Furthermore, he might be a Samaritan or even a Gentile. And, under any circumstances, it was unlawful for the priest to touch the dead body of anyone but an immediate relative (see Lev. 21:1–4). No doubt many such excuses went through these men’s minds as they sought to justify their conduct.