In the Bible, the term "Samaritan" primarily refers to the inhabitants of Samaria, a region situated between Judea to the south and Galilee to the north. The Samaritans are descendants of Israelites who remained in the land after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BC, as well as some foreign settlers brought in by the Assyrians. They developed a distinct religious identity, worshiping Yahweh but differing from the Jews in key aspects, such as their place of worship, which was on Mount Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem (John 4:20). This led to a long-standing animosity between Jews and Samaritans, as seen in passages like John 4:9, where the Samaritan woman expresses surprise that Jesus, a Jew, would speak to her.The term "Samaritan" also gained a broader significance through the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. In this parable, Jesus uses a Samaritan as the exemplar of compassion and mercy, contrasting him with a priest and a Levite who pass by a wounded man without helping. This story emphasizes that true neighborly love transcends ethnic and religious boundaries, urging listeners to act with kindness and compassion regardless of societal prejudices. Thus, in biblical context, "Samaritan" symbolizes both a historical group and a moral ideal of selfless love and service to others.