People & groups
Samaritan
A member of the community centered in Samaria; the Gospels describe differences with Jews over relations and the place of worship.
Also called · Samaritans
What it means
Second Kings 17 describes the Assyrian king relocating people from several regions to Samaria’s towns. A priest who had been taken captive returns to Bethel and teaches them to fear the LORD.
In John 4, a Samaritan woman calls Jacob her ancestor and contrasts the mountain where her ancestors worshiped with the Jewish claim for Jerusalem. The mountain is identified as Mount Gerizim. Jesus says that the time is coming to worship the Father in spirit and truth.
The woman asks why Jesus, a Jew, requests water from her, a Samaritan woman. Later many people from her town believe in him. He stays for two days, and more believe after hearing his words for themselves.
How it appears in the Bible
In the parable in Luke 10, a Samaritan has compassion on a man attacked by robbers, binds his wounds, and takes him to an inn. The next day he gives two denarii and promises to repay any extra cost on his return. Jesus draws out the answer that the one who showed mercy became the man’s neighbor. In Acts 8, Peter and John visit after Samaria receives God’s word; they pray and lay hands on the believers, who receive the Holy Spirit.