ACC ~ John 4 v4

SAMARITANS WERE GENTILES WHO REPLACED EXILED ISRAELITES

CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus only takes up Samaria along the way, as the evangelist implies by saying, “He had to pass through Samaria.” As the apostles, when expelled by the Jews went to the Gentiles, so Christ, when the Jews drove him out, goes to the Samaritans …. He did this in order to deprive the Jews of any excuse and so that they might not be able to say, “He left us and went to the uncircumcised.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 31.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:107**.

THE SAMARITANS ARE READY TO RECEIVE CHRIST’S TEACHING

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: This necessity to go [through Samaria] gave the opportunity and the beginning to his narrative. John did not report this fact in vain. He does not say “as he went to Judea” or “as he returned to Galilee from Judea,” so he also came to the Samaritans. Because of the Samaritans’ separation from the Jews he certainly avoided giving an occasion for the Jews’ just complaint. And so, he did all this as though he were passing through, so that those who were worthy among the Jews might not be deprived of his benefit. He acted for their benefit so that it might be thought that he did what he did there by happenstance. In this way also he appeared to extend good will to the Samaritans, for whom a mere passing through [of the Lord] was sufficient to recognize the truth, while for the Jews not even his long stay among them brought about any results. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 2.4.4. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:85-86.

Jn