In Jesus' day, the Jews usually avoided passing through Samaria because of the enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans that spanned centuries.
Samaria, located between Judea and Galilee, was inhabited by idolatrous "foreigners" or non-Jews of mixed race. As the Jews, after their return from Babylonian captivity, worked to rebuild Jerusalem and their temple, the Samaritans built a rival temple, which they dedicated to Jupiter.The Jews regarded the Samaritans as their greatest enemies. To the Jews, the Samaritans were thought of as the lowest of heathens. Anything to do with Samaria or Samaritans was held in extreme contempt by the Jews.
In view of the feelings between the groups, it is interesting to note John's statement that Jesus " . . . left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria." (John 4:3-4.)
In Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage wrote: "It is interesting to note the extreme . . . restrictions then in force in the matter of regulating unavoidable relations between the [Samaritans and the JewsT.
"While it was admitted that produce from a field in Samaria was not unclean, inasmuch as it sprang directly from the soil, such produce became unclean if subjected to any treatment at Samaritan hands. Thus, grapes and grain might be purchased from Samaritans, but neither wine nor flour manufactured therefrom by Samaritan labor."
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Jesus the Christ, by Elder James E. Talmage; and The Life of Christ, by Frederic W. Farrar.