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Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
…2(although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples),3He leftJudeaandreturnedtoGalilee.4Now He had to pass through Samaria.…

Treasury of Scripture

He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

left.

John 3:32
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

John 10:40
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

John 11:54
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

again.

John 1:43
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

DepartedGalileeJudaeaJudeaLearnedOnceDepartedGalileeJudaeaJudeaLearnedOnce1.Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.
27.His disciples marvel.
31.He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.
39.Many Samaritans believe on him.
43.He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.

He left Judea
This phrase indicates a significant transition in Jesus' ministry. Judea, the southern region of ancient Israel, was the center of Jewish religious life, home to Jerusalem and the Temple. Jesus' departure from Judea suggests a strategic move, possibly due to rising tensions with the Pharisees or to avoid premature conflict. This movement aligns with Jesus' pattern of ministry, often withdrawing from potential danger to fulfill His mission in God's timing (John 7:1). It also reflects the broader theme of Jesus reaching beyond the religious elite to engage with diverse populations.

and returned to Galilee.
Galilee, in the northern part of Israel, was a region with a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles, often looked down upon by Judeans. Jesus' return to Galilee marks a continuation of His ministry among the common people, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that a great light would shine in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2). This area became the primary setting for much of Jesus' teaching and miracles, emphasizing His role as the Savior for all, not just the Jewish elite. The return to Galilee also highlights Jesus' connection to His roots, as He was raised in Nazareth, a town in this region, underscoring His humanity and relatability.

1.Jesus
The central figure of the Gospel, who is making a significant journey from Judea to Galilee. This movement is part of His earthly ministry and mission.

2.Judea
A region in the southern part of ancient Israel, significant for its religious and cultural heritage. It is where Jesus had been ministering before deciding to leave.

3.Galilee
A region in the northern part of Israel, known for being less religiously strict than Judea. It is where Jesus would continue His ministry, performing miracles and teaching.

4.Pharisees
Although not mentioned directly in this verse, the context of the surrounding passages indicates that Jesus' movement was partly in response to the growing attention from the Pharisees.

5.Samaria
While not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the region Jesus passes through on His way to Galilee, leading to the significant encounter with the Samaritan woman.Strategic Movement in Ministry
Jesus' decision to leave Judea and go to Galilee demonstrates the importance of being strategic in ministry. He moved to avoid unnecessary conflict and to continue His work effectively.

Obedience to Divine Timing
Jesus' movements were not random but aligned with God's timing and purpose. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in their decisions and trust His timing.

Crossing Cultural Boundaries
Jesus' journey through Samaria, which follows this verse, shows His willingness to cross cultural and social boundaries to reach those in need. Christians are called to do the same in their ministry efforts.

Focus on Mission
Despite potential threats or challenges, Jesus remained focused on His mission. Believers should remain steadfast in their calling, even when faced with opposition.1.What is the meaning of John 4:3?

2.Why did Jesus choose to leave Judea and return to Galilee in John 4:3?

3.How can we discern when to leave a situation, as Jesus did here?

4.What does John 4:3 teach about God's timing in our lives?

5.How does Jesus' journey in John 4:3 connect to other biblical travels?

6.How can we apply Jesus' decision-making in John 4:3 to our daily choices?

7.Why did Jesus leave Judea and go back to Galilee in John 4:3?

8.What significance does John 4:3 have in understanding Jesus' ministry strategy?

9.How does John 4:3 reflect Jesus' awareness of timing and divine purpose?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 4?

11.Did Jesus deceive His brothers?

12.Who was Jesus of Nazareth?

13.Did Jesus travel to India?

14.Was Jesus considered a rabbi?He left

Jesus’ departure is deliberate, not random. Earlier verses explain that the Pharisees had heard how many were being baptized through His ministry (John 4:1–2). Rather than accelerate conflict before the appointed time, He withdraws—mirroring moments likeJohn 7:1, where He “continued walking in Galilee, for He did not want to walk in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill Him.” In each case His movements show:

• perfect obedience to the Father’s timing (John 8:20)

• a model of godly prudence—avoiding unnecessary confrontation while staying on mission (Matthew 10:23)

• the unstoppable progress of the gospel; moving locations never stalls the work, it spreads it (Acts 8:4)

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Judea

Judea, the religious heartland with Jerusalem at its center, had already witnessed Jesus cleanse the temple (John 2:13-17) and perform signs that provoked both belief and hostility (John 2:23-25). By leaving, He:

• exposes the spiritual blindness of those who possessed the Scriptures yet resisted their fulfillment (John 5:39-40)

• echoes prophetic patterns—God’s word often departs from hardened places to find receptive soil elsewhere (Amos 8:11-12;Acts 13:46)

• reminds us that privilege (proximity to the temple) does not guarantee faith (Luke 13:34-35)

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and returned

The phrase signals that Galilee had already experienced His presence—Cana’s wedding miracle happened there (John 2:1-11). “Returned” conveys:

• continuity—His ministry is unified, whether in the south or the north (Mark 1:14-15)

• intentional rhythms—periods of intense public engagement followed by quieter seasons of teaching His disciples (Mark 6:31)

• the faithfulness of Christ; He revisits people, giving fresh opportunities to hear and believe (John 6:1-2)

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to Galilee

Galilee was socially mixed and considered spiritually dim compared to Judea, yet Isaiah foretold, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:1-2, fulfilled inMatthew 4:13-16). By going north, Jesus:

• demonstrates God’s heart for the overlooked and ordinary (Luke 5:27-32)

• gathers disciples who will later carry the gospel worldwide (Acts 1:11)

• foreshadows the Great Commission, which began in Galilee and extends “to the ends of the earth” (Matthew 28:16-20;Acts 1:8)

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summary

John 4:3, “He left Judea and returned to Galilee,” is more than a travel note. It showcases Jesus’ flawless sense of timing, reveals Judea’s resistance, highlights His purposeful revisiting of Galilee, and displays God’s passion to bring light to the darkest corners. Every step advances the redemption plan, assuring us that wherever Jesus goes, grace follows.

(3)Again.--This word is almost certainly part of the original text, though it is not found in some MSS. Its omission is due to a difficulty of interpretation. What is the previous return into Galilee? The only one mentioned in this Gospel is that ofJohn 1:43. We have had another note of time inJohn 3:24, from which we learn that this Judaean period of the ministry preceded the imprisonment of John, and therefore the commencement of the Galilean ministry recorded inMatthew 4:12 (see Note there) andMark 1:14. This second return, then, is the starting-point of the history of our Lord's work in Galilee as told by the earlier Gospels.

Verse 3. -He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. But it should be observed thatἀφῆκε is a very peculiar word for a simple departure. The verbἀφίημι is used whenκαταλείπω might have been expected (Westcott). The word means "to leave a thing to itself," to its own ways, to treat it as no longer exercising an influence on the mind. (It is, with the nounἄφφεσις, used for "forgive," "forgiveness," of sins.) Jesus left Judaea, which had so imperfectly accepted his claims. The word suggests that his departure was a consequence of the action of the Pharisees;And he departed again. This refers to the first departure after the early testimonies of John, when Jesus went to Cana and Capernaum (John 1:43). Whether this journey corresponded with that mentioned in Matthew and Mark, as following the baptism and temptation of Jesus, or not, it is not to be confounded with the journey which John had already recorded.

Parallel Commentaries ...


He left
ἀφῆκεν(aphēken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 863:From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

Judea
Ἰουδαίαν(Ioudaian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2449:Judea, a Roman province, capital Jerusalem. Feminine of Ioudaios; the Judaean land, a region of Palestine.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

returned
ἀπῆλθεν(apēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565:From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

to
εἰς(eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Galilee.
Γαλιλαίαν(Galilaian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1056:Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine.


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NT Gospels: John 4:3 He left Judea and departed into Galilee (Jhn Jo Jn)