Good morning. Skipping a number of verses that are also in Matthew and Mark: when the
days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem. The word
translated approaching means to be fulfilled. Just like before, it was the right time. He knew
what was going to happen; yet He went to meet it head on. He sent messengers on ahead of
Himself, and they entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. They did
not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. A comment in my Bible:
Samaritans were particularly hostile to Jews who were on their way to observe religious
festivals in Jerusalem. It was at least a three day journey from Galilee to Jerusalem through
Samaria, and Samaritans refused overnight shelter for the pilgrims. Because of this antipathy,
Jews traveling between Galilee and Jerusalem frequently went on the east side of the Jordan
River. That would have taken more than three days; because you had to go down the
mountain, across the river, come back across the river, and go up the mountain again.
Bethlehem is near Jerusalem; so Mary and Joseph possibly came this way, since it was not
during a festival. That means it would’ve taken them at least three days - and her being
pregnant. Well this got James and John stirred up: “Lord, do You want us to command fire to
come down from heaven and consume them🔥?” Why were they so stirred up? Remember,
these are Samaritans. Jesus turned and rebuked them. [The following is not in early
manuscripts.] “you do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come
to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” They then went to another Samaritan village. From
the quote that follows a few verses later, that other village could be the one with the woman at
the well. Father thank You that You have everything worked out in advance according to Your
plan. Work things out perfectly for the reader.

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