"a Samaritan, an inhabitant of the city or region of Samaria, applied by the Jews as a term of reproach and contempt, Mt. 10:5; Jn. 4:9, 39f.; 8:48; Lk. 9:52; 10:33; 17:16; Acts 8:25*"
Definition and meaning
a Samaritan, an inhabitant of the city or region of Samaria, applied by the Jews as a term of reproach and contempt, Mt. 10:5; Jn. 4:9, 39f.; 8:48; Lk. 9:52; 10:33; 17:16; Acts 8:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: Σαμαρίτης
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of samarites (G4541) across the King James Bible.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
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.
So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
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Common questions
Strong's G4541 (samarites) is a Greek word that means: a Samaritan, an inhabitant of the city or region of Samaria, applied by the Jews as a term of reproach and contempt, Mt. 10:5; Jn. 4:9, 39f.; 8:48; Lk. 9:52; 10:33; 17:16; Acts 8:25* It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word samarites (G4541) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4541 is samarites, a Greek word defined as: a Samaritan, an inhabitant of the city or region of Samaria, applied by the Jews as a term of reproach and contempt, Mt. 10:5; Jn. 4:9, 39f.; 8:48; Lk. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
samarites is a Greek word found in the New Testament.