"I am not going through Samaria!" exclaimed James.
"Perhaps we can find a shallow place to cross before we get that far," replied John.
None of the other people were willing to risk their lives by attempting to ford the rushing river. "Come!" called Jesus to the ones who stood wondering what to do. He started down the road toward Samaria; some of the people looked doubtful, but no one objected. The road followed the high hills that shut in the Jordan Valley on the west, but it was well above the flood level of the river. Fully four miles to the east stretched the broad lowlands of the Jordan, small hills, an occasional steep bluff, and at the center, the flooded river.
As the group traveled south, the flat valley narrowed and the hills came closer on both east and west. Some of the farms near the river were under water. "We may be able to cross near here," observed Andrew. They had walked about five miles. "Do you remember if there is a bridge on the road across to Gadara?"
James pointed to a white strip below them. "The road is just ahead."
Jesus walked past the crossroad without turning. "Surely he is not going through Samaria!" exclaimed James.
"Has he forgotten how these people treated our messengers?" asked John.
"Perhaps he does not want all the travelers on the other road to know he is going to the Passover," guessed one man. "He is a complete stranger to the people in this part of Samaria. We could go all the way through the province before anyone would discover we are on our way to Jerusalem."
"Perhaps we shall find lodging more easily along this road," observed another.
"I doubt if anyone will even sell us food," said James pessimistically. "Samaritans are mean."