Who was Samaritan?

The term Samaritan refers not to a single individual but to a group of people descending from the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who remained after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BC. Over time, the Samaritans developed a distinct religious identity, accepting only the Pentateuch (first five books of Moses) and building their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which led to sharp division and hostility between them and the Jews. In the Greek New Testament, the word Samaritan is rendered as Σαμαρίτης (Samaritēs), derived from Samaria, the region they occupied. In Hebrew, it stems from Shomron, meaning “watch mountain” or “watchtower.”

In Matthew 10:5, Jesus specifically instructs His twelve disciples, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.” This reference to the Samaritans highlights the deep social and religious divide present during Jesus‘ earthly ministry and provides context for understanding the boundaries Jesus would later transcend through His redemptive mission.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• Matthew 10:5 – Jesus restricts His disciples from ministering to Samaritans during their initial mission.

• Luke 9:52-56 – A Samaritan village rejects Jesus, and His disciples ask if they should call down fire; Jesus rebukes them.

• Luke 10:25-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

• Luke 17:11-19 – Jesus heals ten lepers; only the Samaritan returns to thank Him.

• John 4:1-42 – Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well, leading to a spiritual awakening in her village.

• Acts 1:8 – Jesus commissions the disciples to be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria.”

• Acts 8:4-25 – Philip preaches in Samaria and many believe.

These references demonstrate a progression: initial limitation, growing interaction, and eventual inclusion in the gospel mission.

What Happened in the Bible

In Matthew 10:5, Jesus sends out the twelve with a focused mission: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.” This directive was not a permanent exclusion but a temporary strategy. Jesus was fulfilling the promise to Israel first (cf. Matthew 15:24). At this stage, the gospel was to be proclaimed initially to the “lost sheep of Israel.” However, Jesus’ ministry and parables (e.g., Luke 10) challenged prevailing prejudices and pointed toward the inclusion of the Samaritans in His future gospel mission.

Jesus’ interactions with Samaritans—particularly the woman at the well (John 4)—were countercultural and redemptive. He crossed ethnic, theological, and moral boundaries to bring truth, grace, and salvation. The eventual spread of the gospel into Samaria (Acts 8) reflects Jesus’ intention for unity and reconciliation through His death and resurrection.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

The Samaritans represent both historical estrangement and spiritual opportunity. For today’s Christians, the Samaritan story teaches:

• Evangelistic Priority: While Jesus began with the Jews, His mission expanded to include all people—demonstrating that salvation is offered to every ethnic group and social class.

• Love Beyond Boundaries: Jesus’ use of a Samaritan as the “good neighbor” (Luke 10) and His kindness to the Samaritan woman teach believers to transcend prejudice.

• Gratitude and Faith: The healed Samaritan leper who returned to praise Jesus models thankfulness and worship (Luke 17:11-19).

• The Power of the Gospel: In Acts, Samaria became a fruitful mission field. Today, the church must carry this gospel to all nations, especially those previously excluded or overlooked.

How Their Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The story of the Samaritans in the Bible culminates in Jesus’ intentional outreach to them, signifying the gospel’s breaking of barriers. Jesus is the reconciler between Jew and Samaritan, clean and unclean, righteous and sinner. His acceptance of the Samaritan woman reveals His role as the Messiah for all people (John 4:26). The expansion of the gospel to Samaria in Acts demonstrates the power of Christ’s resurrection to unify former enemies in one Spirit (Ephesians 2:13-18).

The Samaritan narrative also showcases the scandal of grace: the outcast becomes the model of compassion (Luke 10), the foreigner becomes the only grateful worshiper (Luke 17), and the heretic becomes the evangelist (John 4). All of this points to Jesus, the Savior who seeks the lost regardless of their background.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Inclusion of the Marginalized

Jesus includes the Samaritans as part of His redemptive mission, revealing the Kingdom of God as one not bound by ethnicity or tradition.

2. Breaking Social Barriers

Jesus demonstrates that true righteousness is not about heritage but heart—faith, love, and repentance.

3. Gospel Progression

The gospel moves from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), emphasizing global mission.

4. Reconciliation Through Christ

Samaritans and Jews, though once enemies, are brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:14). In Christ, former divisions are healed.

Reflection Questions

1. What prejudices or social boundaries do I need to surrender to see others the way Jesus does?

2. How can I love my “neighbor” in a way that reflects the compassion of the Good Samaritan?

3. In what ways can my church reach out to those who feel excluded from traditional religious communities?

4. Do I express gratitude like the Samaritan leper, or do I take God’s grace for granted?

5. How am I participating in the mission of taking the gospel “to Samaria”—to those who are different, overlooked, or estranged?

The Samaritan is more than a geographic or ethnic identity—it is a theological invitation to understand God’s heart for the outsider, His power to reconcile, and the grace extended to all through Christ.