Who were the Samaritans at the time of Jesus?
At the time of Jesus, the Samaritans were a mixed-race people considered half-breed Jews. They had lost their pure Jewish character and were looked down upon and detested by pure Jews. Jesus initially forbade His disciples from entering their cities, though He later ministered in Samaria.
Les teaches that when Jesus sent out the twelve in Matthew chapter 10, He commanded them not to go into the way of the Gentiles or enter any city of the Samaritans. Les explains that the Samaritans at that point in time were half-breed Jews who had lost their pure character as Jews, and consequently were looked down upon and detested by the pure Jew. He also notes that Jesus would later in His ministry still go to the city of Samaria.
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:
More Questions
Did Jesus command His disciples to avoid Gentiles and Samaritans?
When Jesus sent forth the twelve, He commanded them, not suggested, to go not into the way of the Gentiles and to not enter any city of the Samaritans.