The story of the good Samaritan may be more known throughout the entire world than any other parable that Jesus taught. There is a clear message that we should do our best to do good to others in need as all of God's children are our neighbors. Generally as I have read the parable in Luke 10:25-37 I have thought of the Priest and Levite as hypocrites that didn't do their job of taking care of the beaten man, but I think there is a deeper meaning that we can understand given the historical religious context.
In the Law of Moses there were very strict rules given about cleanliness. One of those was that if you touched someone who was dead, or if you touched blood then you were "unclean" for I believe around a week, and/or you needed to do some ceremonies or go through a process to become "clean" again. So in this story if the Priest or Levite had helped the man they would have become ritually unclean and could not have continued performing their priestly duties. They were living an old law by not helping this man. However, Christ taught that He was a fulfillment of the law and as a symbol of being the Samaritan in the story we can see how the old law of rules of cleanliness is being done away, and He is teaching His gospel which is to love your neighbor. I'm grateful that Christ did come as my Savior and Redeemer and I hope I can live his law rather than focus on lists or strict rules.
In the Law of Moses there were very strict rules given about cleanliness. One of those was that if you touched someone who was dead, or if you touched blood then you were "unclean" for I believe around a week, and/or you needed to do some ceremonies or go through a process to become "clean" again. So in this story if the Priest or Levite had helped the man they would have become ritually unclean and could not have continued performing their priestly duties. They were living an old law by not helping this man. However, Christ taught that He was a fulfillment of the law and as a symbol of being the Samaritan in the story we can see how the old law of rules of cleanliness is being done away, and He is teaching His gospel which is to love your neighbor. I'm grateful that Christ did come as my Savior and Redeemer and I hope I can live his law rather than focus on lists or strict rules.