Charles Ellicott Commentary John 3:22

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized." — John 3:22 (ASV)

After these things.—Not implying that He left Jerusalem at once. The “land of Judea” is the province as distinct from the capital. This verse points to a work in Judea of which we know nothing more.

It was probably not confined to one place. We have to think of Christ as continuing His teaching, of large numbers influenced by it (John 3:26), and of these as being baptised by the disciples (John 4:2). His converts were the country people, and it was the action of the Pharisees that caused Him to retire to Samaria.