And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
After those in Jerusalem tried to seize Him and take His life, Jesus escaped them, left the city, and went away again beyond Jordan to the place where John had at first baptized, and there He abode to save His life. He had stirred this repeated plotting to put Him to death because, as the light of the world and the greatest witness for truth, He spoke necessary truth that was keen and cutting like a two-edged sword, sent home to the conscience so forcibly that the priests and rulers could not bear His words. In that place beyond the Jordan many people came to Him, recognized that all that John had testified about Him was true, and believed in Him.
His departure when His life was sought shows that leaving one place allows His witness to continue in other places, both inside and outside the camp. The verse teaches the duty to take care of life for Christ's sake and not to place oneself unbidden in danger, because He wants His followers to live on to teach and help others. Withdrawing from danger in this way opens the way for needed work elsewhere, with some workers able to labor in places where prejudice forbids others to labor.
After those in Jerusalem tried to seize Him and take His life, Jesus escaped them, left the city, and went away again beyond Jordan to the place where John had at first baptized, and there He abode to save His life. He had stirred this repeated plotting to put Him to death because, as the light of the world and the greatest witness for truth, He spoke necessary truth that was keen and cutting like a two-edged sword, sent home to the conscience so forcibly that the priests and rulers could not bear His words. In that place beyond the Jordan many people came to Him, recognized that all that John had testified about Him was true, and believed in Him.
His departure when His life was sought shows that leaving one place allows His witness to continue in other places, both inside and outside the camp. The verse teaches the duty to take care of life for Christ's sake and not to place oneself unbidden in danger, because He wants His followers to live on to teach and help others. Withdrawing from danger in this way opens the way for needed work elsewhere, with some workers able to labor in places where prejudice forbids others to labor.