Luke 9:52-56

Samaritan intolerance. εἰς κώμην Σαμαρειτῶν : this indicates an intention to go southward through Samaritan territory. Not an unusual thing. Josephus (Antiq., xx., vi. 1) states that it was the custom for Galileans going to Jerusalem to the feasts to pass through Samaria. ἐτοιμάσαι α., to prepare for Him, i.e., to find lodgings for the night. ὥστε in view of the sequel can only express tendency or intention. οὐκ ἐδέξαντο α.: the aorist, implying “that they at once rejected Him,” Farrar (C. G. T.). ὅτι introduces the reason: Christ's face was, looked like, going to Jerusalem. In view of what Josephus states, this hardly accounts for the inhospitable treatment. Perhaps the manner of the messengers had something to do with it. Had Jesus gone Himself the result might have been different. Perhaps He was making an experiment to see how His followers and the Samaritans would get on together. In that case the result would make Him change His plan, and turn aside from Samaria into Peraea. If so then Baur's idea of a Samaritan ministry is a misnomer.