They did not receive him - Did not entertain him hospitably, or receive him with kindness.
Because his face was ... - Because they ascertained that he was going to Jerusalem. One of the subjects of dispute between the Jews and Samaritans pertained to the proper situation of the temple. The Jews contended that it should be at Jerusalem; the Samaritans, on Mount Gerizim, and accordingly they had built one there. They had probably heard of the miracles of Jesus, and that he claimed to be the Messiah. Perhaps they had hoped that he would decide that “they” were right in regard to the building of the temple. Had he decided the question in that way, they would have received him as the Messiah gladly; but when they saw that he was going among the Jews - that “by going” he would decide in their favor, they resolved to have nothing to do with him, and they rejected him. And from this we may learn:
- That people wish all the teachers of religion to fall in with their own views.
- That if a doctrine does not accord with their selfish desires, they are very apt to reject it.
- That if a religious teacher or a doctrine favors a rival sect, it is commonly rejected without examination. And,
- That people, from a regard to their own views and selfishness, often reject the true religion, as the Samaritans did the Son of God, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.