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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 4:1-3

We read of Christ's coming into Judea (John 3:22), after he had kept the feast at Jerusalem; and now he left Judea four months before harvest, as is said here (John 4:35); so that it is computed that he staid in Judea about six months, to build upon the foundation John had laid there. We have no particular account of his sermons and miracles there, only in general, John 4:1. I. That he made disciples; he prevailed with many to embrace his doctrine, and to follow him as a teacher come from God.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 4:1-9

4:1-9 So when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although it was not Jesus himself who was in the habit of baptizing but his disciples), he quilted Judaea and went away again to Galilee. Now he had to pass through Samaria. He came to a town of Samaria, called Sychar, which is near the piece of ground which Jacob gave to Joseph, his son, and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, tired from the journey, was sitting by the well... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:2

Though Jesus himself baptized not ,.... And therefore as Nonnus observes, it was a false report that was made to the Pharisees; at least in part, so far as concerns the act of baptizing: though it may be this is observed, not so much to show the falsehood of that report, as to correct what is said of Christ's baptizing; lest it should be understood, as if he baptized in his own person; whereas he did not, that not so, well comporting with his greatness and majesty: wherefore "the king did... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:2

Verse 2 2.Though Jesus himself baptized not. He gives the designation of Christ ’s Baptism to that which he conferred by the hands of other, in order to inform us that Baptism ought not to be estimated by the person of the minister, but that its power depends entirely on its Author, in whose name, and by whose authority, it is conferred. Hence we derive a remarkable consolation, when we know that our baptism has no less efficacy to wash and renew us, than if it had been given by the hand of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:1-2

When therefore the Lord £ —a few occasions are found in the Gospels where this appellative, without any proper name, is used for Jesus ( John 6:23 ; John 11:2 ; Luke 10:1 ; Luke 17:5 ; Luke 22:61 ), and on these occasions some special suggestion is made of the Divine rank and personality of Jesus— knew that the Pharisees heard; i.e. were taking notice, after their wont, with secret machination and with open hostility, of the course which he was pursuing. The treatment which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:1-6

(1) The contrast between Jewish unsusceptibility and Samaritan pre-disposition to faith. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:1-6

The journey of our Lord through Sumatra. We are now to see the firstfruits of Gentile conversion. I. CONSIDER THE CAUSE OF CHRIST 'S DEPARTURE FROM JUDEA TO GALILEE . "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, he left Judaea and departed again into Galilee." 1 . The anger of the Pharisees was roused by the greater success of Jesus. "All men were coming to him" ( John 3:26 ), to be his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:1-42

7. The ministry and revelation of the Lord to those beyond the strict compass of the theocracy. This passage describes an incident of consummate interest, and records a specimen of our Lord's intercourse with individuals, and the reaction of that instruction upon the disciples. The event is a solitary chink through which the light of historical fact falls upon an otherwise darkened and unknown period of the Saviour's life. When we skirt a forest we see at intervals, where by some... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:2

Though Jesus himself baptized not - The reason why Jesus did not baptize was probably because, if He had baptized, it might have made unhappy divisions among his followers: those might have considered themselves most worthy or honored who had been baptized by Him. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:17. read more

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