Commentaries on Gospel Events

Samaritan Rejection

c. Sept. A. D. 29

Galilee

The disciples thought they had a situation similar to Elijah in that here were Samaritans rejecting the true God.  But they didn't have it quite right.  In Elijah's time we have Jews worshiping Beelzebub.  In Jesus' time they worshiped God the Father but not in the correct way hence didn't deserve complete destruction by fire. 

The fact that they lost the faith which they showed in John 4 just goes to demonstrate the truth of the parable of the sower.

Could be there was something about the direction Jesus' party was now taking - toward rather than away from Jerusalem that made them less hospitable.

And yet Jesus uses a Samaritan, just a week or so later in his parable as an example of a good neighbor. They were all fellow Jews worshiping God the Father.  And interestingly enough three who had a chance to help the fellow Jew in need were all three worshiping in a wrong manner.  The point being the two religious leaders being deeper in hypocrisy than the Samaritan.

 

Matthew

Luke

John

 

Mat 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

 

 

Luk 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

Luk 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

Luk 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

Luk 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Luk 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Luk 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

 

 

Joh 7:10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.