Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 10:40
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
40. again beyond Jordan ] Referring back to Joh 1:28. The hostility of the hierarchy being invincible and becoming more and more dangerous Jesus retires into Peraea for quiet and safety before His Passion. This interval was between three and four months, from the latter part of December to the middle of April. But some portion of this time was spent at Ephraim (Joh 11:54) after going to Bethany in Judaea to raise Lazarus. Nothing is told us as to how much time was given to Bethany or Bethabara in Peraea, how much to Ephraim.
at first ] John afterwards baptized at Aenon near Salim (Joh 3:23).
baptized ] was baptizing.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
40 42. “The chapter ends with a note of place which is evidently and certainly historical. No forger would ever have thought of the periphrasis ‘where John at first baptized’ ‘John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.’ It would be impossible to find a stronger incidental proof that the author of the Gospel had been originally a disciple of the Baptist, or at least his contemporary, and also that he is writing of things that he had heard and seen. A Gnostic, writing in Asia Minor, even though he had come into relation with disciples of John, would not have introduced the Baptist in this way. In circles that had been affected by the Baptist’s teaching, and were hesitating whether they should attach themselves to Jesus, this is precisely the sort of comment that would be heard.” S. p. 179.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Where John at first baptized – At Bethabara, or Bethany, Joh 1:28.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 40. Beyond Jordan] Rather, to the side of Jordan, not beyond it. See Clarke on Joh 6:22, and See Clarke on Mt 19:1.
Where John at first baptized] That is, at Bethabara: see Joh 1:28. Afterwards, John baptized at AEnon: Joh 3:23.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Christs time was not yet come when he should be betrayed and crucified; it was yet three months and more to it; he saw the Jews at Jerusalem were in such a rage and fury, that there was no staying in that place: he goes beyond Jordan to Bethabara, where he found John at first baptizing, Joh 1:28, before he baptized in Aenon near Salim, Joh 3:23. See Poole on “Joh 1:28“. Possibly he chose that place as being a place where John had been preparing a way for him, by turning mens hearts in some measure for receiving the gospel, and pointing out Christ to his disciples, as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.
And there he abode: how long he abode there we cannot tell; probably till he took his last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem; of which the other evangelists speak, Mat 20:17; Mar 10:32; Luk 18:31. What he did in Galilee during these three months John reports not, only saith… {see Joh 10:41}
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
40-42. went away again beyond Jordan. . . the place where John at first baptized(See on Joh1:28).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And went away again beyond Jordan,…. Where he had been before; and whither he went; not merely for the security of his person, much less to indulge himself in ease, but to preach the Gospel, work miracles, and bring many souls to believe on him, as did: and he went
into the place where John at first baptized; that is, Bethabara, where he baptized before he was at Aenon, near Salim, Joh 1:28, and was the place where Christ himself was baptized, and where John bore such a testimony of him:
and there he abode; how long is not certain, perhaps till he went to Bethany, on account of raising Lazarus from the dead.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Again (). Referring to 1:28 (Bethany beyond Jordan). does not mean that the other visit was a recent one.
At the first ( ). Adverbial accusative (extent of time). Same idiom in John 12:16; John 19:39. Here the identical language of 1:28 is used with the mere addition of ( , “where John was baptizing”).
And there he abode ( ). Imperfect (continued) active of , though some MSS. have the constative aorist active . Probably from here Jesus carried on the first part of the later Perean Ministry (Lu 13:22-16:10) before the visit to Bethany at the raising of Lazarus (Joh 11:1-44).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Beyond Jordan (peran tou Iordanou). Into the region called Peroea, from peran, beyond. It was on the east side of the river, and was the ancient possession of Gad and Reuben. It corresponds, in an enlarged sense, to the region round about Jordan (Mt 3:5; Luk 3:3). Compare Mt 19:1; Mr 10:1.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And went away again beyond Jordan,” (kai apelthen palin peran tou lordanou) “And again he went away across the Jordan (river),” into Perea, for at least three months until Joh 11:7.
2) “Into the place where John first baptized;”– (eis ton topon hopou en loannes to proton baptizon) “Into the locality where John (the Baptist) was first baptizing,” as recounted Joh 1:28; Joh 4:1. These had been made ready for His words by former testimony of John the Baptist.
3) “And there he abode.” (kai emenen ekei) “And he remained (for a period) out there,” For some three or four months, still laboring, diligently doing the works His Father sent Him to do and finish, Joh 4:34; Joh 5:36; Joh 6:38, until He had finished all, Joh 17:4-5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
40. He went away beyond Jordan. Christ passed beyond Jordan, that he might not have to fight continually without any advantage. He has therefore taught us, by his example, that we ought to avail ourselves of opportunities, when they occur. As to the place of his retreat, the reader may consult the observations which I have made at Chapter 1, verse 28. (305)
(305) See page 62 of this volume.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(40) And went away again beyond Jordan.Comp. Note on Joh. 1:28. In Mat. 19:1 we have the fuller expression, the coasts of Juda beyond Jordan, referring to the same locality. The whole of Juda proper was Cis-Jordanic, and the Judah upon Jordan (Jos. 19:34) was the boundary toward the sun-rising of the tribe of Naphthalii.e., it answered to what was afterwards known as Gaulonitis, and is now known as the Jolan. Josephus [Wars, iii. 3) expressly enumerates Gaulonitis as belonging to Juda in the time of our Lord. For the explanation of this spread of the name, which has always been a geographical crux, see von Raumers argument in Dr. Casparis summary (Chron. and Geogr., Introd., Eng. Trans., p. 90). We have to think, then, probably of Bethania or Tellanihje, to the north of the Sea of Galilee, on the eastern side of the Jordan, as the place of our Lords retirement. He had taught the Jews by divine words, and they had sought to stone Him (Joh. 10:31, and Joh. 8:59). He had appealed to divine works, and they had attempted to take Him by force (Joh. 10:39, and Joh. 7:30; Joh. 7:32; Joh. 7:44). He sees in all this the darkness which foreshadows the night, and He retires from the city to visit it no more until the final Passover, when the night will be at hand. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
And there he abode.How long we have no means of judging. The time from Dedication to Passover (December to April) is divided, by the visit to Bethany near Jerusalem, and the raising of Lazarus, into two parts of uncertain duration, one of which is spent in Gaulonitis and the other in Ephraim (Joh. 11:54).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
40. Beyond Jordan Jesus returned to Bethabara, where his ministry was first inaugurated. Here, in the scene of his early baptism, the divine exile abode, visited by many who remembered John’s testimony, who saw its verification in Jesus, and believed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John was at first baptising, and there he abode. And many came to him, and they said, “John, indeed, did no sign, but all things whatever John spoke of this man were true.” And many believed on him there.’
Meanwhile Jesus left Jerusalem and crossed the Jordan to where John had originally baptised Him and others, and there He remained. Perhaps He drew strength from thinking about His experience at that time, and the word that His Father spoke to Him then. Perhaps it was also in order to find the encouragement that came from having fellowship with believers, for John’s ministry had been powerfully effective.
‘And many came to him, for they said, ‘John performed no miracle, but everything that John said about this man was true’. The powerful testimony of John was bearing its fruit. Though most of the Judaisers would not listen, those whom the Father had given to Him would come to Him. And here were some of them. They were followers of John the Baptiser and their comment that John performed no miracle was due to their recognition that here there was a greater than John. He had been pointed to by John, and now He had proved Himself. Their belief was in contrast with the wavering of some of the Judaisers.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 10:40. And wentinto the place where John, &c. To Beth-arbara, Ch. Joh 1:28. See also the latter part of the note on Luk 3:3. Our Lord seems to have remained in the country of Peroea till he came into Judea to raise Lazarus from the dead; that being the next particular mentioned by our evangelist; and if so, the time of Christ’s abode in the country beyond Jordan must have been considerable. There is a peculiar beautyin this supposition; for allowing it to be just, the people dwelling on the other side of Jordan, enjoyed the doctrine and miracles of our blessed Saviour, as well as the inhabitants of Judea, Samaria, the Galilees, the countries on the east side of the lake, and those lying far north, about Tyre and Sidon, and Caesarea Philippi; whereas, according to the common opinion, Jesus did not exercise his ministry in Peroea for any length of time at all.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 10:40-42 . .] Joh 1:28 .
. .] He went away from Jerusalem, beyond the Jordan (as in Joh 6:1 , Joh 18:1 ) to Peraea , and, indeed, to the place, etc. Instead of allowing themselves to be won over to faith and redemption, the had grown ever more hardened and decided in their hostility, till it had reached the extreme; the Lord then finally gives them up, and knowing that His hour was near, though not yet fully come, He withdraws for a calm and undisturbed, although brief, season of activity to Peraea , where He was safer from the hierarchs (comp. Joh 11:54 ); and in the place where John was when he baptized for the first time (namely, Joh 1:28 ; later, in Salim, Joh 3:23 ), there could be as little lack of susceptible hearts as of quiet, elevating, and sacred memories for Himself.
] How long, we cannot precisely ascertain, as He spent also some time in Ephraim before the feast of the Passover (Joh 11:54 f.). In any case, however, the lasted but for a very short period, as is evident also from the word in Joh 11:8 .
, etc.] “Fructus posthumus officii Johannis,” Bengel.
] not , but a bearing of testimony in general.
, etc.] Logically we should expect after ; but even classical writers frequently disregard logical precision in their mode of placing and . See Khner, ad Xen. Mem . i. 6. 11; Baeumlein, Partik . p. 168.
] A characteristic feature of the history of John, which in this respect also has remained free from fanciful additions; the people, however, referred to the circumstance in view of the which Jesus had wrought, as they had been informed, elsewhere, and probably here also, before their own eyes. In this way we may also account for not occupying its strictly logical position.
The repetition of in Joh 10:42 is part of the simplicity of the style, which is here faithfully reflected, and is further in harmony with the feeling of reverence entertained by the people for the holy man whose memory still lived among them.
] As was actually shown by the works of Jesus. In this way, their experience of the truth of the testimony of John became the ground of faith in Christ. What a contrast to the experiences which Jesus had just had to pass through among the ! The ray of light thus vouchsafed to Him in the place where He first commenced His labours, is here set forth in all historical simplicity. Baur, however (p. 182 f., and Theol. Jahrb . 1854, p. 280 f.), maintains that the people are merely represented as speaking these words in order that the entire preceding description of the life and works of Jesus may be surveyed from the point of view of the . John himself gives a comprehensive retrospect, but in the right place, namely, at the close of the activity of Jesus in Joh 12:37 ff., and in how different a manner!
(see the critical note), placed emphatically at the end of the verse.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
Ver. 40. And went again beyond Jordan ] The farther from Jerusalem the safer. Jerusalem was then as Rome is now, the saints’ slaughterhouse. Roma radix omnium malorum. Rome is the root of all evils.
Into the place where John first baptized ] As well for his own comfort (for there he had heard at first from heaven, “This is my beloved Son,” &c.) as for the people’s conversion and confirmation, who there called to mind John’s testimony of Jesus, and believed.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
40 42. ] Jesus departs to Bethany beyond Jordan, and is there believed on by many .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
40. ] See ch. Joh 1:28 and note.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh 10:40-42
40And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42Many believed in Him there.
Joh 10:40 This refers to the trans-Jordan area across from Jericho, close to a city called Bethany.
Joh 10:41 Again John states John the Baptist’s affirmation of Jesus (cf. Joh 1:6-8; Joh 1:19-42; Joh 3:22-30; Joh 5:33)! This may have been to counteract some heresies that had developed around John the Baptist.
Joh 10:42 As the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, so many of the common people (people of the land) responded in faith to Him (cf. Joh 2:23; Joh 7:31; Joh 8:30). See Special Topic at Joh 2:23.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
went, away, &c. This was in December, and He remained away till April, visiting Bethany (Joh 11:1) in the interval, and spending the latter part of the time at the city Ephraim (Joh 11:54).
where, &c. See Joh 1:28.
baptized = was baptizing. App-115.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
40-42.] Jesus departs to Bethany beyond Jordan, and is there believed on by many.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 10:40.[292] , John) The posthumous fruits of the services of John.
[292] , and went away) Immediately after the Feast of Dedication; as is evident from the omission of the phrase , and of the name of Jesus. Nor did the Saviour go to the region beyond Jordan only, but afterwards into Galilee also, and again from Galilee into the borders of Judea (comp. Mat 19:1, Mar 10:1), which John did not feel it necessary to mention, inasmuch as the other Evangelists, and especially Luke, record with sufficient fulness, what He did at that time in Galilee.-Harm., p. 365, comp. p. 420.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 10:40
Joh 10:40
And he went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing; and there he abode.-He left Judea because they would not believe him, and went to the east side of the Jordan to Bethabara where John had baptized and remained there for a time.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the place: Joh 1:28, Joh 3:26
there: Joh 7:1, Joh 11:54
Reciprocal: Mat 12:15 – he withdrew Mat 19:1 – that when Mar 10:1 – by Joh 4:3 – left Joh 8:59 – but Joh 11:7 – Let Joh 12:36 – and departed Act 12:17 – And he
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Since it was not yet time for Jesus to be taken in hand by the Jews, he moved out of the territory of Jerusalem. It was his desire to continue his good work, and he selected a community where John had done work before he was slain. His preaching had doubtless sown the seeds of truth that prepared the soil for Jesus.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
[Where John at first baptized.] That is, Bethabara: for the evangelist speaks according to his own history: which to the judicious reader needs no proof.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Joh 10:40. And he went away again beyond Jordan unto the place where John was at first baptizing; and there he abode. The place in which John at first baptized was that mentioned in chap. Joh 1:28 (not in chap. Joh 3:22), viz. Bethany beyond Jordan. But why does the Evangelist here make special mention of this fact? It would seem that we have another illustration of his tendency at the close of a period of the history to go back to the beginning of that period. He gathers together the whole ministry of Jesus up to this time under one point of view. With the next chapter we really enter on the final scene: in the raising of Lazarus the work of Jesus reaches its culminating-point; by that miracle His rejection and condemnation by the Jews is made certain. And as in a mountain ascent the traveller may pause before attempting the highest peak, and survey the long path by which he has ascended, so the Evangelist here pauses before relating the last struggle, and (by mentioning the association of the place and not the name of the place itself) leads his readers to survey with him all the period of the ministry of Him to whom John bore witness. Whatever Jesus had since done or said ratified the witness borne by the Baptist. Possibly it was because of Johns testimony that Jesus sought this spot: near it may have lived many whose hearts had been prepared for His teaching. What He did during His stay in Bethany beyond Jordan, or how long was His stay, we do not know. We may certainly suppose that He taught; and the next verse suggests that signs were wrought.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Joh 10:40-42. And, presently departing from Jerusalem, he went again beyond Jordan Into Perea, a country for the most part desert and rocky; the place where John at first baptized Called Bethabara, Joh 1:28; and there he abode Probably till he came into Judea, to raise Lazarus from the dead, that being the next particular mentioned by this evangelist. If so, the time of his abode in these parts must have been considerable: and, as appears from what follows, was not spent there in vain. For many of the inhabitants of that place, who had been formerly acquainted with John the Baptist, and remembered the strong and repeated testimonies which he had borne to Jesus, resorted unto him To attend his ministry; and said, John did no miracle For it seems John was not endued with the power of working miracles, that the authority of Jesus might be more conspicuous and unquestionable; but all things that John spake of this man were true The character which John gave of one that was to come after him, is completely verified by the doctrine and miracles of this person. And many believed on him there Believed him to be the Messiah, the Son of God. And thus they happily improved this season of Christs recess among them, as the means of their instruction, and establishment in piety. Thus we see the testimony of John the Baptist was recollected to excellent purposes, while he himself was mouldering in his tomb. And what can a faithful minister account a greater happiness, or more earnestly desire, than that, even while he is dead, he may yet speak for the honour of Christ, and the salvation of souls?
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Vv. 40-42. And he went away again beyond the Jordan, into the place where John had baptized at the beginning;and he abode there. 41. And many came to him, and they said: John did no miracle; but all that John said of this man was true. 42. And many believed on him there.
As we have already said, the Synoptics (Mat 19:1; Mar 10:1; and, because of the parallelism, Luk 18:15) also mention this sojourn in Peraea, a little before the last Passover. As Jesus certainly could not have remained a long time at Jerusalem without the result of bringing the conflict to its decisive issue, He abandoned the capital after the feast of Dedication, and went away to resume the pilgrimage which had been interrupted by this brief journey. It was thus that He arrived in Peraea, where we find Him in this passage of John. We feel, from the apostle’s tone, that this sojourn was not without pleasure for Jesus and for His first disciples. There is a charm in finding oneself, on finishing one’s career, in the places where it was begun. Jesus had, moreover, the joy of gathering a harvest here which had been prepared by the faithful labor of His forerunner. It would be difficult not to recognize in this description the personal recollection of the evangelist (see Weiss).
The word again (Joh 10:40) does not by any means allude to a supposed sojourn in Peraea between Joh 10:21-22, as Lange thought, but certainly to that of which John had spoken in Joh 1:28, when Jesus was at Bethany, near the Jordan, with His forerunner. The term (or, as the Sinaitic MS. reads, ) contrasts these first days with His later ministry, which was accomplished in altogether different localities (Joh 3:23). The meaning of the testimony which the believers of Peraea bear to Jesus is this: If John did not himself do miracles, he did indeed at least predict everything which this one does, whose coming he announced. John thus grew greater to their view with all the greatness of Him who had followed him and to whom he had borne testimony. The word , there, should certainly be placed, according to the reading of the Alexandrian authorities, at the end of the verse; it is on this word that the emphasis rests. This faith which is so easily developed in Peraea forms a striking contrast with the persistent and increasing unbelief of the inhabitants of Judea, which has just been described in the preceding chapters. This passage thus forms, by means of this contrast, as Luthardt remarks, the last point of the great act of accusation directed against the Jews in this part of the Gospel.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
JESUS AT BETHANY, PEREA
Joh 10:40-42. And again He went away beyond Jordan, into the place where John was first baptizing, and there abode. Many came to Him, and continued to say, That John did no miracle; but all things, so many as John said concerning this One, were true, and many believed on Him there. This Bethany was in the Jordan Valley, on the east side, about twenty miles above the ford where Israel crossed, and where Jesus was baptized, in the territory occupied by the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan. When the multitudes followed Him, the sight of the place reminded them of Johns ministry, which they had there enjoyed three years previously. Consequently the conversation naturally turned on that subject. Though John was the greatest of all the prophets, he wrought no miracles like his illustrious predecessors, Elijah and Elisha. They naturally contrast these two most illustrious characters i. e., John and Jesus and remember so vividly the powerful preaching of the former in reference to the latter; and now, in contemplation of His mighty works, all certify that Johns wonderful testimony in reference to Him is literally true.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Jesus’ withdrawal from Jerusalem 10:40-42
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
John presented Jesus’ departure from Jerusalem as the result of official rejection of Him. The event had symbolic significance that the evangelist probably intended. Jesus withdrew the opportunity for salvation from the people there because they refused to accept His gracious offer of salvation. Evidently Jesus went from Jerusalem back to Bethany in Perea on the east side of the Jordan River where the Jewish rulers had no authority to pursue Him (cf. Joh 1:28).