And for then, A.V.; proclaimed unto them the Christ for preached Christ unto them, A.V. Philip; the deacon and evangelist (Acts 6:7; Acts 21:8), not the apostle. As regards Samaria, it is always used in the New Testament of the country, not of the city, which at this time was called Sebaste, from σεβαστός, i.
e. Augustus Caesar (see Acts 25:21, Acts 25:26, etc.; John 4:5; and Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 15. John 7:9). Whether, therefore, we read with the T.R. πόλιν, or with the R.T. τὴν πόλιν, we must understand Samaria to mean the country, and probably the city to be the capital, Sebaste.
Alford, however, with many others, thinks that Sychem is meant, as in John 4:5.