John 11:54

“Jesus therefore, etc.] Knowing the resolution the sanhedrim had taken to put him to death, and the schemes they were forming to apprehend him: walked no more openly among the Jews; at, or near Jerusalem; he did not teach in their streets, nor work miracles, nor appear in public company: but went thence, from Bethany: unto a country near to the wilderness: whether this was the wilderness of Judea, where John came preaching, and near to which our Lord was before he came to Bethany, or the wilderness of Bethaven, (<061812>Joshua 18:12), is not certain: into a city called Ephraim; the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions, call it Ephren, and so some copies; it seems to be the same…”

“No more openly - No more publicly, in the cities and towns. Jesus never exposed his life unnecessarily to hazard. Although the time of his death was determined in the counsel of God, yet this did not prevent his using proper means to preserve his life. The wilderness - See the notes at Matthew 3:1. A city called Ephraim - This was probably a small town in the tribe of Ephraim, about five miles west of Jericho. return to 'Top of Page'”

“walked: Joh 4:1-3, Joh 7:1, Joh 10:40, Joh 18:20 went: Joh 7:4, Joh 7:10, Joh 7:13 Ephraim: Ephraim appears to be the same city which is called Ephrain, (see note on Ch2 13:19), and Ephron, (see note on Jos 15:9), which was situated eight miles north of Jerusalem, near Bethel, and apparently between that city and Jericho. Accordingly we find that a desert, or wilderness, extended from Jericho to Bethel ( Jos 16:1), called the wilderness of Bethaven ( Jos 18:12), in which Joshua and the Israelites slew the inhabitants of Ai. ( Jos 8:24.) Sa2 13:23; Ch2 13:19 John 11:55”