John 4:3

“He left Judaea, etc.] Where he had been for some time: at the feast of the passover he went up to Jerusalem, and after a short stay there, he came into the country part of Judea, where he tarried longer; and in both about the space of eight months; for it was now but four months to harvest, which began at the passover; (see <430213>John 2:13 3:22 4:35). And now upon thee Pharisees being made acquainted with his success in these parts, he leaves them; not through fear of them, but because he would not irritate and provoke them, and stir up their malice and envy against him, which might put them upon measures to seek to take away his life; whereas his time was not yet come, and he had other…”

“left Judea--to avoid persecution, which at that early stage would have marred His work. departed into Galilee--by which time John had been cast into prison (Mar 1:14).”

“He left Judea - The envy and malice of the Pharisees he might have known were growing so rapidly as to endanger his life. As his time to die had not yet come, he retired to Galilee, a country farther from Jerusalem, and much less under their control than Judea. See Mark 2:22; Luke 3:1. Though he feared not death and did not shrink from suffering, yet he did not needlessly throw himself into danger or provoke opposition. He could do as much good in Galilee, probably, as in Judea, and he therefore withdrew himself from immediate danger. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He left Judea - To shun the effects of their resentment. John 4:4”

“4:3 After John the Baptist had been imprisoned (see Mark 6:14-29), Jesus left Judea (cp. Mark 1:14).”

“left: Joh 3:32, Joh 10:40, Joh 11:54; Mat 10:23; Mar 3:7 again: Joh 1:43 John 4:4”