During the time of Jesus, Samaritans were a distinct ethnoreligious group living in the region of Samaria, situated between Judea and Galilee. The Samaritans had their own version of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and worshipped God on Mount Gerizim, which they considered to be the true holy place of worship, as opposed to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
Key Points About Samaritans:
1. Origins and History:
• The origins of the Samaritans can be traced back to the period following the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE. The Assyrians deported many Israelites and brought in foreign settlers who intermarried with the remaining Israelites. This mixed population developed a distinct identity and religious practices.
2. Religious Differences:
• Samaritans accepted only the Pentateuch (Torah) as their sacred scripture and rejected the rest of the Hebrew Bible, which includes the historical, poetic, and prophetic books.
• They built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which they believed to be the true location designated by God for worship. This was in contrast to the Jewish belief that the temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship.
3. Tensions with Jews:
• There were significant religious, cultural, and social tensions between Jews and Samaritans. Jews viewed Samaritans as heretical and impure due to their mixed heritage and divergent religious practices.
• Samaritans were often despised by Jews, leading to deep-seated animosity and mutual hostility.
4. New Testament Context:
• The animosity between Jews and Samaritans is evident in several New Testament passages. For example, in John 4, Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well is notable because it breaks social norms—Jews typically did not associate with Samaritans.
• Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) also highlights this tension and serves to challenge prevailing prejudices by portraying a Samaritan as the hero who shows compassion and mercy, in contrast to the Jewish figures in the story.
Summary:
Samaritans during the time of Jesus were an ethnoreligious group with distinct religious beliefs centered around Mount Gerizim and the Pentateuch. They had a contentious relationship with Jews, who viewed them with suspicion and hostility. Despite this, Jesus’ interactions with Samaritans in the New Testament emphasize themes of inclusion, compassion, and the breaking down of societal barriers.
Preacher Chad
chaddonley 