Luke 9:53
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐδέξαντο
receive
G1209
ἐδέξαντο
receive
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
3 of 12
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 12
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόσωπον
face
G4383
πρόσωπον
face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
7 of 12
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πορευόμενον
as though he would go
G4198
πορευόμενον
as though he would go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
10 of 12
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
Historical Context
The Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim had been destroyed by Jewish forces in 128 BC under John Hyrcanus, intensifying centuries of hatred. Samaritans believed Jacob's well and Mount Gerizim were the legitimate worship sites, not Jerusalem. Jesus's pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover would have been viewed as legitimizing the Jewish temple system they rejected, making Him complicit in their oppression despite His willingness to minister to them.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you rejected truth or ministry because it came through channels, institutions, or people associated with your theological or cultural opponents?
- How does the Samaritans' rejection of Jesus over destination rather than identity warn against allowing secondary issues (worship style, denominational affiliation, political alignment) to blind you to Christ Himself?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they did not receive him (οὐκ ἐδέξαντο αὐτόν, ouk edexanto auton)—the Samaritans actively refused hospitality. The verb dechomai means to welcome or accept, often with warmth; its negation here signals deliberate rejection. Because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem (τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἦν πορευόμενον εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ, to prosōpon autou ēn poreuomenon eis Hierousalēm)—literally, 'his face was set toward Jerusalem.'
The Samaritans rejected Jesus not for who He was but where He was going. Jerusalem represented everything they opposed—the rival temple, Jewish religious hegemony, centuries of mutual contempt. Jesus's resolute determination to worship in Jerusalem (not Gerizim) made Him an enemy. The irony is tragic: they reject the Messiah over geography. This previews how religious tribalism blinds people to Christ's true identity. The woman at the well (John 4) received Jesus; this village rejected Him. Same Savior, same ethnicity, different responses—proving that receptivity to Christ transcends cultural identity.