The Bible gives many examples of Jesus’ lack of prejudice. He ate with sinners and tax collectors, touched lepers, healed a Roman soldier’s servant, spoke with a Samaritan woman and her village friends, and used a Samaritan instead of a Levite or priest as an example of being a true neighbor.
The Samaritan woman’s comment, “The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans,” gives us a hint of her amazement that Jesus spoke to her. Her remark piques our interest. Who are these people called Samaritans, and why would she reply this way? What is behind her statement?
There are two major accounts in the New Testament that mention Samaritans. One is this Samaritan woman at the well. See John 4:5–43. Their conversation was followed by Jesus and his disciples remaining two days, teaching in her Samaritan village. The other is Jesus’ parable, since referred to as “the parable of the good Samaritan.” See Luke 10:25–37.
