John Calvin Commentary John 4:1

"When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John" — John 4:1 (ASV)

When, therefore, the Lord knew. The Evangelist, intending now to give an account of the conversation Christ had with a Samaritan woman, begins with explaining the cause of his journey. Knowing that the Pharisees were ill-disposed towards him, he did not wish to expose himself to their anger before the proper time. This was his motive for leaving Judea.

The Evangelist thus informs us that Christ did not come into Samaria with the intention of dwelling there, but because he had to pass through it on his way from Judea to Galilee. For until, by his resurrection, he should open up the way for the gospel, it was necessary for him to be employed in gathering the sheep of Israel to which he had been sent. That he now favored the Samaritans with his instruction was an extraordinary and almost accidental occurrence, if we may be allowed the expression.

But why does he seek the seclusion and retreats of Galilee, as if he were unwilling to be known, though his being known was highly desirable? I reply, he knew well the proper way to act, and made such use of opportunities for service that he did not allow a moment to be lost.

He wished, therefore, to pursue his course with regularity, and in the manner he judged proper. From this we also learn that our minds ought to be regulated so that, on the one hand, we are not deterred by any fear from carrying out our duty, and on the other hand, we do not too rashly throw ourselves into dangers.

All who earnestly desire to pursue their calling will be careful to maintain this moderation. By this, they will steadily follow the Lord even through the midst of deaths; they will not rush into them heedlessly, but will walk in His ways. Let us, therefore, remember that we must not go further than our calling demands.

That the Pharisees had heard. The Pharisees alone are mentioned by the Evangelist as having been hostile to Christ; not that the other scribes were friendly, but because this sect was dominant at that time, and because they were filled with rage under the pretense of godly zeal. It may be asked: Did they envy Christ because he had more disciples, because their stronger attachment to John led them to promote his honor and reputation?

The actual reason is different. For although they were formerly dissatisfied to find that John was gathering disciples, they became even more exasperated when they saw that a still greater number of disciples came to Christ. From the time that John avowed himself to be nothing more than the herald of the Son of God, people began to flock to Christ in greater crowds, and John had already almost completed his ministry. Thus John gradually resigned to Christ the office of teaching and baptizing.