The Samaritans worshipped on Mount Gerizim. There was a long history of Jewish worship there, including annual covenant renewal at Shechem, outlined in the book of Deuteronomy. There were even well-founded arguments for Mount Gerizim worship over Jerusalem. The Samaritan woman, who had her own prejudices, subscribed to that narrative. Jesus did not even attempt to engage the argument. He pointed to a new day and a higher form of worship. The Samaritans were included in that future, a worship which no race, tribe or culture could claim as their exclusive right.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (NIV)
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