Thematic Bible: Modern Samaria


Thematic Bible



But [then] a certain Samaritan [Note: This was a person despised by the Jews and regarded by them as a 'half-breed'], as he traveled along, came to where the [injured] man was [lying], and upon seeing him [lying there], felt deep pity [for him]. So, he went over to him, poured oil and wine on him [i.e., as emergency medical treatment], then bandaged his wounds, placed him on his own animal, and took him to a lodge where he took care of him. Then the next day he gave the lodge keeper two coins [Note: These coins amounted to two days of a farm laborer's pay, or about $140 in 1994] and told him, 'Take care of this [injured] man; and whatever more you have to spend on him I will repay you when I come back [this way] again.' read more.
[Now] which of these three men do you think acted like a neighbor to the man attacked by the robbers?"

And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet and thanked Him. And he was a Samaritan. [Note: Samaritans were despised by the Jews and regarded as a 'half-breeds']. Jesus asked [those standing nearby], "Were there not ten men [who were] healed? Where are the [other] nine? Did not anyone [else] come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner?"



Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, "He told me everything that I ever did." When the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Jesus to stay with them, so He remained there for two days. And many more people believed [in Jesus] because of His [own] words, read more.
and they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world."

Great crowds of people joined together in accepting Philip's message when they heard and saw the [miraculous] signs he was able to perform. Evil spirits came out, with loud shrieks, from many persons and large numbers of people were healed of their paralysis and crippled conditions. And there was much rejoicing in Samaria [over the wonderful effects of Philip's ministry].


You [Samaritans] do not [really] know what you worship; we [Jews] know what we worship because salvation is from the Jews [i.e., through Jewish prophets, Jewish Scriptures and a Jewish Messiah]. Verse ConceptsFalse WorshipGod, Revelation OfIgnorance, Of GodSamaritansGod Saves The NeedyHow Not To WorshipHow To Worship GodJewsWorshiping GodWorshiping Together

Jesus sent these twelve apostles out and ordered them saying, "Do not go on any road leading to Gentile territory or enter any town of the Samaritans. Verse ConceptsExclusivenessSolemn ChargesEntering CitiesAvoiding ForeignersFirst Among The GentilesTwelve DisciplesChrist SendingChrist's OrdersMissionariesGentilesChristmas Treeevangelizing

So, He sent messengers on ahead of Him, who went and entered a Samaritan village to prepare for Him [i.e., for His food and lodging]. Verse ConceptsPeople Going BeforeA Place Prepared

He left Judea and returned to Galilee. (Although it was actually His disciples who did the immersing and not Jesus Himself). [Now to get to Galilee] it required that Jesus travel through Samaria [Note: Samaria was the next country north of Judea].

And it happened as Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem that He passed along the border between Samaria and Galilee. [Note: These were the next two provinces north of Judea].


[Then] the woman said to Jesus, "I know that Messiah is coming ([He is] the One who is called Christ). And when He does come, He will tell us everything." Verse ConceptsMessianic HopeThe Fact Of His Coming


So, He sent messengers on ahead of Him, who went and entered a Samaritan village to prepare for Him [i.e., for His food and lodging]. And these Samaritans did not welcome Him because He was heading for Jerusalem. [Note: They perceived He was a Jew and Samaritans did not associate with Jews].

Jesus sent these twelve apostles out and ordered them saying, "Do not go on any road leading to Gentile territory or enter any town of the Samaritans. Verse ConceptsExclusivenessSolemn ChargesEntering CitiesAvoiding ForeignersFirst Among The GentilesTwelve DisciplesChrist SendingChrist's OrdersMissionariesGentilesChristmas Treeevangelizing

Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, "He told me everything that I ever did." When the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Jesus to stay with them, so He remained there for two days. And many more people believed [in Jesus] because of His [own] words, read more.
and they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world."

But a certain man named Simon, from there in Samaria, who had been amazing the people with his magical powers, was claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest [in importance], was being impressed by him. They were saying, "This man is being called Great [and has] power from God." And people were paying attention to him because he had been amazing them with his magic for a long time.

So, the soldiers took charge of Paul and took him at night to Antipatris [Note: This was a town on the road between Jerusalem and Caesarea] as they were ordered. Verse ConceptsDuring One Night

Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain [i.e., Mt. Gerizim, which was visible from where they were sitting]; but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people should worship [God]." Verse ConceptsSamaritansWorship, Places OfAncestorsHow To Worship God


The Jews answered and said to Jesus, "Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan [See note on 4:9], and are dominated by an evil spirit?" Verse ConceptsAccused Of Being DemonisedDemonic Influence


So, He arrived at the Samaritan town called Sychar, which was near the piece of property that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Verse ConceptsTownPeople Giving Other Thingshumor





And Saul was in full agreement with Stephen being put to death. And a great persecution broke out against the Jerusalem church, and all the disciples, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the districts of Judea and Samaria. Verse ConceptsFugitivesChristiansdispersion, theJerusalem, Significance OfSamaritansChurch, Description OfChurch, Examples OfThe Church ScatteredAssentingApproval To KillThe Apostles In Action