ACC ~ John 4 v25

THE SAMARITANS EXPECTED CHRIST TOO

CHRYSOSTOM: How is it that the Samaritans expected Christ’s coming, since they only acknowledged the books of Moses? Their expectation came from the writings of Moses themselves…. Jacob prophesies of Christ, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until he comes to whom it belongs, and he is the expectation of nations.” [1] And Moses says, “The Lord your God shall raise up a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers.” [2] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 33.2. [3]

[1] Gen 49:10; Chrysostom also cites Gen 1:26 and Gen 18 as further proof.

[2] Deut 18:15.

[3] NPNF 1 14:116**.

MESSIAH WILL LEVEL THE MOUNTAIN AND THE TEMPLE

AUGUSTINE: She says in effect, The Jews now contend for the temple, we for the mountain. But he, when he comes, will level the mountain, overthrow the temple and teach us how to pray in spirit and in truth. She knew who could teach her, but she did not yet know him that was now teaching her…. The Hebrew Messias is in Greek Christ and means in Latin the anointed one. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 15.27. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:106**.

FALSE CHRISTS AROSE AMONG SAMARITANS TOO

ORIGEN: The Samaritan woman, who accepts only the Pentateuch of Moses, expects the coming of Christ as announced only by the law. The Samaritans probably expected the visitation on the basis of Jacob’s blessing on Judah, when he said… “A ruler shall not fail from Judah.” [1] … We must not fail to remark that, as Jesus arose from among the Jews, not only saying that he was the Christ but also proving it, so also a certain Dositheus arose from among the Samaritans and declared himself to be the Christ who had been prophesied. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 13.154, 162. [2]

[1] Gen 49:10.

[2] FC 89:101-2*; SC 222:116, 120-22.