What was the historical background of the woman at the well?
The
Samaritans were the inhabitants of Samaria. They were of mixed
Jewish and heathen descent. The Samaritans claimed descent from
Jacob, and looked on themselves as true Israelites. A mountain in
Samaria, Mount Gerizim had been adopted as their official place of
worship. The Jews had a deep dislike for the Samaritans. They
considered them half-breeds. That is why this woman said to the
Lord Jesus, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me,
a Samaritan woman?"