“Jesus left Judaea and departed again into Galilee. And He must needs go through Samaria.” (John 4:3-4).
Jesus decided to leave Judea and go to Galilee.
However, instead of going the normal route, He chose to go through Samaria, something devout Jews would never consider doing.
Samaria was located between Judea and Galilee, and this area was considered by Jews as unclean because of the Samaritans.
To most Jews, Samaritans were “half-breeds”, a product of past Jews intermarrying pagans.
Thus, pure Jews looked down upon these people.
Samaritans were considered unclean and true Jewish people would have no social dealings with them, even to the point of avoiding their land. Jesus came to save all people, and so He made it a point to go into Samaria. He wanted these “half-breeds” to know the saving love of God.
We are all “half-breeds” --created in the holy image of God but also having the sin image of Adam. Jesus left Heaven to come to the Samaria of this unclean world to save us, to make us full children of God by faith in Him.
