Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 4:1-3

"When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee." — John 4:1-3 (ASV)

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) he left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Observe here that our Lord at first shunned conflict with the Pharisees. When He knew that they were jealous of Him, He went away from Judaea to a more remote district, into Galilee. May He help us always to take what may be the wiser course in every emergency! He was not guilty of cowardice; that, He could not be, for He was the bravest of the brave; and sometimes it will be most courageous on our part to shun a conflict. When you believe it is right to do so, never mind what anyone may say; but do as your Master did on this occasion.

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) he left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Our Lord knew that the Pharisees would assail Him now that He was prospering and gathering disciples. He therefore went away from them, as He did on other occasions. Whenever the cause of God grows, Satan is sure to be violent against it.

Notice that our Savior did not Himself baptize His followers. Now, if baptism depended on the character or the office of the baptizer, Jesus would certainly have done it; but to show us that the person baptizing does not impart any grace to the person baptized, our Lord did not baptize, but left that work to His disciples.

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,), He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Our Savior was not a man of strife; he was quite ready to contend with the Pharisees on fit occasions, but just then he avoided an encounter with them. Besides, one woman of Samaria, whom he was going to save, was worth more to him than ten thousand Pharisees who would not be saved by him. Most of the learning and culture of Palestine was possessed by the Pharisees, but Christ thought nothing of it in comparison with the soul of the one poor woman of Samaria whom he was going to save.