1. 2.1 The Politics and Geography of Palestine
The region of Palestine, while quite small, was a critical trade route in the ancient world
Palestine had three distinct regions – Galilee to the north, Samaria to the south, and Judea, even further south

2. Galilee: Galilee had very fertile land
Jews living there were quite isolated (separated) from other Jews
Because of this, they interacted (and at times, married) regularly with non-Jews (Gentiles) and were thus viewed suspiciously by Jews living in other regions of Palestine
This wouldn’t have been seen as “racist”. In this time, very few people interacted with, let alone married, people outside their racial or cultural community

3. Samaria:
Samaria was in between the main Jewish centers of Galilee and Judea
Samaritans were not liked by Jews because they were people of mixed-race (thus, they were never acknowledged as “real” Jews – again, remember that inter-racial and inter-religious activity was strictly forbidden)
So even if a “real” Jew lived in Samaria, he would not be viewed or received warmly

4. Judea: Judea was in the southern part of Palestine
It was the largest of the three regions and included the most important Jewish city, Jerusalem (their spiritual center)
Jerusalem was the city of David and the site of God’s holy temple
Judea eventually came under the rule of Herod - a wicked ruler…and the suffering of God’s people would begin (again)
Judean
Desert
Jerusalem