The Jews, those who boasted in the Law and who were confident in their salvation by works because they had Abraham as their father had a false sense of security and hence were blinded to see their Messiah when He came. The very thing that they held as instruments for their salvation were the very things that blinded them from seeing their salvation. But the Samaritans had no such lineage to boast of; they, who were considered sinners and inferior in the eyes of the Jews, had a more contrite heart. Salvation is of the Jews, but the Samaritans have believed the Gospel.