On the return of the Jews, these Samaritans, who, it would appear, had now relinquished much of their idolatry, sought permission to take part in the rebuilding of the temple; but being properly rejected, they in revenge hindered and harassed the builders, and at length, by false representations to the Syrian King, procured a decree which suspended the continuance of the devout work. This naturally made the Jews bitterly hostile to the Samaritans: and the building of a rival temple on Mount Gerizim—the rejection of all the inspired Books, excepting those of Moses—the encouragement given to Jewish criminals and outlaws to seek refuge among them, and many other provocations, had so sustained and deepened the feeling against them, that, in our LORD’S time, the Jews would have no dealings with the Samaritans; and in any want or danger, would much rather have suffered death, than receive succour at their hands. Thus were the Samaritans despised and shunned; and that there was at least some measure of justice in their treatment, we may safely infer from our LORD’S rebuke of them—“Ye worship ye know not what;” and from His charge to the apostles, “Into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.” Their creed was heretical, their worship schismatic. They belonged not to the covenanted people of GOD. And yet the _only one_ out of ten miraculously healed lepers, who discharged the religious obligation of rendering thanks and glorifying GOD, and who received spiritual benefit from Christ, was a _Samaritan_. The model neighbour to the man who had fallen among thieves, was a _Samaritan_. They were Samaritans who so early and so openly professed, “We have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” And when the Jews persecuted the disciples, and thrust them out of Jerusalem, Samaria readily and largely received the Word of GOD at their mouths. Thankful and acceptable adoration of GOD, exemplary brotherly love, enlightened faith, prompt renunciation of error, and acceptance of truth—these were graces which shone conspicuously in heretical and schismatic Samaritans, and won for them from the Saviour of Israel approbation, and love, and blessing.