The defects in John's character came strongly to the front on several occasions during his personal association with the Saviour. At one time Christ sent messengers before Him into a village of the Samaritans, requesting the people to prepare refreshments for Him and His disciples. But when the Saviour approached the town, He appeared to be desirous of passing on toward Jerusalem. This aroused the envy of the Samaritans, and instead of inviting Him to tarry with them, they withheld the courtesies which they would have given to a common wayfarer. Jesus never urges His presence upon any, and the Samaritans lost the blessing which would have been granted them had they solicited Him to be their guest.

Manglerne i Johannes karakter blev særlig påfaldende ved flere lejligheder, mens han vandrede sammen med Frelseren. Engang sendte Kristus sendebud forud ind i en af samaritanernes byer for at bede beboerne gøre forberedelser til at modtage ham og hans disciple. Men da Frelseren nærmede sig byen, viste det sig, at det var hans hensigt at drage videre derfra til Jerusalem. Dette vakte samaritanernes skinsyge og i stedet for at indbyde ham til at blive en stund hos dem nægtede de at vise ham den høflighed, de ellers ville have udvist mod en almindelig vejfarende. Jesus, påtvinger sig aldrig nogen og samaritanerne gik glip af den velsignelse, de ville have modtaget, hvis de havde tryglet ham om at være deres gæst.