Why does the King James say they went down from Jerusalem to Samaria?
The King James says they went down from Jerusalem to Samaria because the wording reflects altitude, not travel distance. Jerusalem sits about 1,400 feet high, while Samaria is lower, around 1,000 feet. Though only a few miles north, the route descends, so Scripture describes it as going down.
Les explains that the King James “down” is about altitude, not a long journey. He notes Israel is a small country and Samaria is only a few miles due north of Jerusalem, so Philip isn’t leaving the world. Jerusalem sits at 1,400 feet, and Samaria is lower, about 1,000 feet, so the text says they went down from Jerusalem to Samaria. Then Philip preached Christ unto them.