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events were occurring in Israel within the religious and political hierarchies, and the events were not
positive. In our last study, the discussion between a Jewish leader and John the Baptist’s disciples
revealed that the tea kettle was heating. Something was about to blow (John 3:25-36). That Jewish leader had
told John’s disciples that Jesus’ popularity was increasing. This revealed that the religious leaders
were watching both John and Jesus, and they were not happy. King Herod was unhappy with John the Baptist because
John had accused him of the sin of living with his brother’s wife; the Jewish leaders also took offense
at his rebuke of them (Matt. 3:7-10). Since one of their own, Nicodemus, had visited Jesus, it is obvious that
there were some among the Jewish leaders who were starting to be convinced that Jesus might be the Messiah.
Jesus’ popularity was growing greater, and John’s popularity was declining. The Jewish leaders
were worried. Trouble was brewing just like a good cup of tea. Both John and Jesus were headed for trouble.Time To Leave. Jesus was aware of these events, and He knew that the Pharisees
had heard that He was baptizing more people than John.
Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. (NASB) John 4:1-4 Contrary to the English words, the Greek language reveals that Jesus was doing some of the baptizing - but not all of it. His disciples were doing most of the baptizing. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were concerned about His popularity, so He left Judea and passed through Samaria on His way to Galilee. Matthew 4:12 and Mark 1:14 tell us that John had been thrown into prison just before Jesus left for Galilee. Only the gospel of John states that Jesus passed through Samaria first. So with John in prison and the Pharisees worried about Him, Jesus left Judea to avoid trouble.
So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. (NASB) John 4:5-6
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