John 4:40-45 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
‘He abode there two days’ – This is another of many customs of the Jews that was broken by Jesus. Talking to the woman itself was breaking rabbinical law, and having fellowship with Samaritans for two days would have been unpardonable in the eyes of the Pharisees (John 4:9). Jesus taught being neighbourly to those whom one could help, so here He practised what He preached (Luke 10:29-37).
‘Many more believed because of his own word’ – Two groups of “many” (John 4:39, 4:41) made a large congregation.
These Samaritans believed He was the Saviour of Gentiles as well as Jews. They were not like the other Samaritans that would not receive Him (Luke 9:51-56). Receiving Jesus will make a change in any life, community, or nation.
Jesus and His disciples left after two days to continue their journey to Galilee. His native country was Judea – His town, Bethlehem (Mic. 5:1-2; Matt. 2:1-23). His adopted country was Galilee. Judea rejected Him, but Galilee received Him (John 4:45). Nazareth, His adopted home town, rejected Him, but not all of Galilee (Luke 4:16-30).
Living the Word 