John 10:40
He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a significant, often overlooked, choice Jesus makes: retreating to the very place where John the Baptist first began his ministry. It wasn't just a geographical move, but a deeply symbolic one, returning to the scene of John's foundational witness and Jesus' own early encounters, seeking refuge and continuing his work away from those who sought to harm him.
After the religious leaders in Jerusalem tried to stone Jesus and then attempted to arrest Him, He withdrew across the Jordan River. He went to the area where John the Baptist had first begun his ministry, a place connected to significant spiritual beginnings for Jesus and His followers. There, He found refuge and continued His work, attracting many people who had heard John's testimony and were now witnessing Jesus' own miracles.
Jesus faced intense hostility in Jerusalem, even attempts to stone Him. Where did He go, and why that specific place?
After being rejected and threatened in Jerusalem, Jesus didn't stay to fight. Instead, He strategically withdrew.
People flocked to Jesus in this remote location. What spiritual seeds sown by John the Baptist were bearing such remarkable fruit here?
This passage reveals a beautiful, unexpected outcome of John the Baptist's ministry, even after Jesus had begun His own public work.
Understand the original words
baptizō · Greek Verb
A ritual practice of washing with water to signify repentance, cleansing from sin, and identification with God’s covenant purposes. It served as the primary mission of John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Messiah.
Jesus' withdrawal to Perea was a strategic move away from the intense hostility in Jerusalem, seeking refuge and continuing his ministry in a place familiar from John the Baptist's earlier work, where he found receptive hearts and solidified his message through crowds who remembered John's testimony.
c. AD 27
John the Baptist begins ministry
John the Baptist starts preaching and baptizing in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus' early ministry and conflicts
Jesus begins his public ministry, performs miracles, and begins to face increasing opposition from Jewish religious leaders.
December AD 28 - January AD 29— this verse
Jesus withdraws to Perea
Following escalating conflict and threats in Jerusalem, Jesus withdraws to Perea, east of the Jordan River, a region associated with John the Baptist's early ministry.
c. January AD 29
Ministry in Perea and Galilee
While in Perea and later Galilee, Jesus continues to teach and heal, attracting many followers who recall John the Baptist's witness.
This verse is directly referenced in John 10:40, identifying the location where John the Baptist first baptized, which is significant because Jesus retreated to this very spot.
John 3:23This passage describes John the Baptist moving to Aenon near Salim to baptize because water was plentiful there, providing context for the 'place where John at first baptized' mentioned in John 10:40.
Matthew 19:1This verse describes Jesus going to the 'region of Judea beyond the Jordan,' a geographical parallel to Jesus' retreat in John 10:40, showing His movement away from hostile crowds.
John 11:54This verse mentions Jesus withdrawing to the region near the wilderness called Ephraim before the Passover, illustrating His pattern of retreating to safer, less public areas when facing opposition, similar to His action in John 10:40.
Isaiah 42:1-4This prophecy speaks of a servant who would not shout or break a bruised reed, reflecting Jesus' gentle but persistent ministry and His wisdom in withdrawing from danger rather than confronting it head-on, as He does in John 10:40.
barnesJohn 10:40: "And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode."
Where John at first baptized - At Bethabara, or Bethany, John 1:28 .
calvinJohn 10:37-42: "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."
- If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38. But if I do, [301] though you believe not me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39. Therefore they sought again to seize him, but he escaped [302] out of their hands. 40. And again he went away beyond Jordan, to the place where John first baptized, and abode there. 41. And many came to him, and said, John indeed d…
This verse highlights a significant, often overlooked, choice Jesus makes: retreating to the very place where John the Baptist first began his ministry. It wasn't just a geographical move, but a deeply symbolic one, returning to the scene of John's foundational witness and Jesus' own early encounters, seeking refuge and continuing his work away from those who sought to harm him.
After the religious leaders in Jerusalem tried to stone Jesus and then attempted to arrest Him, He withdrew across the Jordan River. He went to the area where John the Baptist had first begun his ministry, a place connected to significant spiritual beginnings for Jesus and His followers. There, He found refuge and continued His work, attracting many people who had heard John's testimony and were now witnessing Jesus' own miracles.
After the religious leaders in Jerusalem tried to stone Jesus and then attempted to arrest Him, He withdrew across the Jordan River. He went to the area where John the Baptist had first begun his ministry, a place connected to significant spiritual beginnings for Jesus and His followers. There, He found refuge and continued His work, attracting many people who had heard John's testimony and were now witnessing Jesus' own miracles.
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c. March AD 29
Raising of Lazarus
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, a powerful miracle that solidifies belief for some but further incites the opposition of the Jewish leaders.
c. April AD 29
Final journey to Jerusalem
Jesus begins his final journey to Jerusalem for the Passover, knowing it will lead to his crucifixion.
"He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained." — This verse highlights a significant, often overlooked, choice Jesus makes: retreating to the very place where John the Baptist first began his ministry. It wasn't just a geographical move, but a deep…
