Despite the “mix of nationalities” in Samaria, the Samaritans considered themselves to be “descendents of the tribes” of Ephraim and Manassah.
“This” gave them a “direct line” to Jacob and to Joseph.
Somewhat ironically, the Samaritans actually held to a more “conservative form” of “Israelite religion” than did the Judeans. And, certainly more so – than did the Galileans!
The Samaritans worshiped Yahweh…they preserved a line of Levitical priests…and they accepted the Torah or the first five books of Moses as their holy book.
They sound Jewish-enough.
But they did not accept any of the Writings or any of the prophets. That means they did not accept 25 books of the Hebrew Canon. Five Major Prophets, 12 minor prophets and eight individual – Wisdom writings were not acceptable to them.
They saw them as being somehow corrupted.
Samaritans worshiped God on Mt. Gerizim (the “place of blessings”) and the Jews worshiped God in Jerusalem.
The Judeans actually burned down the Samaritan Temple at one time…around 110 BCE.
It was believed to be against the law “to set a foot” in Samaria.
By the time of Jesus, Judeans if traveling “from Judea to Galilee” – might cross over to the other side of the Jordan River in order to NOT set “so much as a foot” in Samaria.
“That Jesus” entered Samaria “at all” is a significant statement – by itself.
More over – he goes to a town that is heavy-laden with cultural and religious symbolism as evidenced by the references to Jacob, Joseph and Jacob’s well…
Sychar was close to the Biblical site of Shechem. Abram built an altar there. It later became a huge commercial center…on the trade routes…known for its grapes, olives, wheat, livestock and pottery. The city was estimated to be about 4,000 years old.
There in that “god-forbidden region” is Jesus and the 12. Offering us, another strange story from John’s gospel. It is unusual, and again, it is different…
It breaks down all kinds of cultural stereotypes, mores and hostile attitudes.
Our Orthodox brothers and sisters celebrate this text as being the story of “the luminous one” – or Saint Photini or Saint Photine.
Although the unnamed woman’s name was known at the time, it has been lost over the last 2100 years.
So it was the Orthodox Christian community who gave her a name. For them, she is a saint of great renown.
Because of her witness – many people were brought to Jesus. Because of her continuing witness to Jesus she gained great notoriety in the early church.
Later it was even stated that her continuing witness – made her “an equal” to that of the apostles.
It is said that it is because she was a woman, and because she was a Samaritan, you just knew that she was never going to be revered!
Tradition further says that she was actually brought before the Emperor- Nero, because of bringing so many people into the early church. Nero demanded that she “answer for her faith.” The church says that she suffered many tortures and declined to ever stop witnessing to her Lord, even before Nero. Eventually it was said that she was thrown down a dry well and martyred…as some kind of final irony.
This woman at the well is not about to be considered – a second class citizen by anyone, including Jesus or even the Emperor. Nor is she going to be considered as a “half-breed” or as a “heretic.” She was a Samaritan-Israelite.
Jesus’ attitude throughout the account is non-judgmental and open. The woman responds in kind. There is a lack of bias and prejudice throughout, although it is hinted at…and alluded to.
Jesus was even willing to share a drinking vessel with the woman, a serious polluting act by Pharisaic standards. And she was willing to share with him – a complete stranger and a Jew. He treats her like family and she reciprocates.
The fact that Jesus is indeed the Messiah – is not expressed to a Judean or a Galilean, but to a Samaritan, and not to a man, but to a woman.
And because of her, and her testimony the first people to proclaim Jesus as “Savior of the world” are a bunch of half-breed foreigners…
And as a result – Jesus decides to stay with them for a couple of more days…