Background is important, because it adds information that clarifies what we are told. In John 4:1 we are told that Jesus returned to Galilee, after he found out that the Pharisees understood he baptized more folks than John. How should we understand that information? Should we believe that Jesus had simply accomplished a goal, and in doing so he returned home? On the other hand, perhaps he wished to end the comparison of his ministry with that of John the Baptizer, or does the account have a politically covert flavor to it? Why did Jesus want to return to Galilee, when his ministry was doing so well in Judea? After only eight months, Jesus’ popularity had surpassed that of John the Baptizer (John 3:26). So, why was that so important to the Pharisees (John 4:1), and how did it affect Jesus?
We need to keep in mind that Matthew and Mark have Jesus returning to Galilee suddenly, after he had heard that John the Baptist had been imprisoned (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14). The author of the Gospel of John, however, doesn’t mention John’s imprisonment. Instead, he simply says Jesus was baptizing more folks than John the Baptizer (John 3:26), and when Jesus understood that the Pharisees had found out this was so, he suddenly returned to Galilee. (John 4:1-3). We know that Jesus left Judea in haste, because he and his disciples didn’t have time to buy any food for the journey, and by the time they had reached Samaria Jesus was weary (John 4:6, 8).
The Pharisees were a religious/political group. According to Josephus, they were very cunning troublemakers who opposed kings, always ready to use violence to accomplish their goals.[1] At one point, very early in Jesus’ ministry, this same sect took council with the Herodians in an effort to destroy Jesus (Matthew 12:13-14; Mark 3:6).
Why this information is important is that the Pharisees were interested in John’s ministry (John 1:19-24), and just prior to John’s imprisonment (John 3:23-24), there arose a dispute or debate between John’s disciples and the Jewish authorities (John 3:25). Moreover, the dispute seemed to involve information that Jesus was now baptizing more folks than John (John 3:26).[2] If the Pharisees had earlier tried to destroy Jesus by taking council with the Herodians, it seems likely they were behind John’s imprisonment, as well, because John was pointing to Jesus, saying he was the Messiah (John 1:29-34). John was imprisoned, because he had told Herod Antipas that he had illegally taken his brother’s wife to himself (Matthew 14:3-4; Mark 6:17-18; Luke 3:19-20). However, Mark tells us that Herod had sent men to seize John (Mark 6:17). In other words, John didn’t tell Herod what he did was illegal, until after he was arrested. So, how did John get into trouble with Herod to begin with? Why, exactly, did Herod send men to arrest John, and who told Herod he needed to be concerned about John? It seems likely the debate that occurred with the Jewish authorities and John’s disciples (John 3:25) was baited, and probably involved the Herodians (cp. Mark 3:6). The Herodians told Herod or Herodias, and Herod sent his men and arrested John. The fact that both John’s and Jesus’ ministries were being monitored by someone, indicates stealth on the part someone or some group, who opposed both John and Jesus. The Pharisees are the most likely candidates for this purpose.
Therefore, Jesus left Judea to return to Galilee after hearing John was imprisoned (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14). He returned suddenly, as soon as he understood that the Pharisees knew he (Jesus) made more disciples and baptized more folks than John (John 4:1, 3). The implication being, the Pharisees had something to do with John’s arrest. Not only so, but it seems Jesus found it necessary to return to Galilee by traveling through Samaria (John 4:4), something Jews normally didn’t do. However, Jesus’ doing so would make it more difficult for the Pharisees to locate him, since they had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9).
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[1] Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews 17.2.4 (41)
[2] The text makes a point is saying Jesus didn’t baptize (John 4:2), but his disciples did. This seems to indicate the difference between John’s and Jesus’ ministries. John was the servant and personally performed the rite, while Jesus is Lord and had his servants perform the rite.
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