The Samaritans mentioned several times in the [[Gospels]] by [[Jesus]] were a mixed-race, part-[[Gentile]] and part-Jewish, who engaged in practices considered to be [[blasphemous]] by Jewish [[Pharisees]]. The references to Samaritans are nearly all favorable, particularly by the [[Gentile]] [[Luke]] but also by [[John]], while [[Matthew]] is critical of Samaritans at {{bibleref|Matthew|10|5}}<ref>"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.'" ([[ESV]])</ref>. For example, one of the most famous references to Samaritans in the New Testament is in the [[Parable of the Good Samaritan]]. It is also said that Jesus first expressly revealed his divinity to a Samaritan woman at the well, despite how Samaritans were outcasts at the time:<ref>John 4:25-26 (NAS).</ref> | The Samaritans mentioned several times in the [[Gospels]] by [[Jesus]] were a mixed-race, part-[[Gentile]] and part-Jewish, who engaged in practices considered to be [[blasphemous]] by Jewish [[Pharisees]]. The references to Samaritans are nearly all favorable, particularly by the [[Gentile]] [[Luke]] but also by [[John]], while [[Matthew]] is critical of Samaritans at {{bibleref|Matthew|10|5}}<ref>"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.'" ([[ESV]])</ref>. For example, one of the most famous references to Samaritans in the New Testament is in the [[Parable of the Good Samaritan]]. It is also said that Jesus first expressly revealed his divinity to a Samaritan woman at the well, despite how Samaritans were outcasts at the time:<ref>John 4:25-26 (NAS).</ref> |