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Pastoral Note: Post-Messiah Emphasis on Samaria – In his final instructions, Jesus-Messiah
identifies Samaria as a targeted community to evangelize (Acts 1:8) Following the persecution
of the early church Samaria became a refuge city for non-Samaritan Jews. (Acts 8:1) Phillip is
sent by the Holy Spirit to preach to Samaria. (Acts 8:4) Peter sent to affirm the Messianic-
Church in Samaria (Acts 8:14) The church of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria equally celebrated
(Acts 9:31)

John 4:39- And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the
saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
John 4:40- So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought
him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
John 4:41- And many more believed because of his own word;
John 4:42- And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy
saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the
Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Lesson Notes:

(John 4:39-40) – The validation of the excursion through Samaria is realized in the life changing
testimony of the Samaritan woman that influenced many people in her community to find faith
in the Messiah. The affirming response from the Samaritans makes it clear that the they are
not opposed to hearing the truth. The Samaritan men that return with the woman to Jacob’s
well convinces Jesus-Messiah to further delay His journey to Galilee and travel deeper into
Samaria spending two additional days in their community. The invitation from the men of
Samaria to a non-Samaritan Rabbi was well outside of the norm; accepting the invite to travel
into the interior of a culturally forbidden place was an even greater gesture.
(John 4:41-42) – More Samaritans are added to the faith after hearing the teachings of Jesus-
Messiah. The new converts have come to the faith resulting from their personal encounter and
not because of the woman’s testimony. The community of Samaritans acknowledge that a non-
Samaritan Rabbi from Galilee is the Christ and Savior of the world.

Note: This excursion captured only in John’s Gospel further representing hi intent speak to a universal audience.
The absence in the other Gospel, especially those writing to a Jewish audience, further represents the dissent
between the two cultures.

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