“Ut ergo cognovit Jesus quia audierunt pharisæi quod Jesus plures discipulos facit, et baptizat, quam Joannes”
“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,”
“When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John”
“Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John”
“When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John”
This measure is to be kept in doing of our duty, that neither by fear we be terrified from going forward, neither by rashness procure or pluck dangers upon our heads. Cross references: : John 3:22
This knowledge which the Pharisees had of our Saviour’s making so many disciples, and baptizing such members, could not prevail upon them to follow him for their salvation; otherwise Christ would not have departed out of Judea. Jesus knew full well that this, their knowledge, would not work their conversion, but only stir up their envy, and excite them to persecute him; and therefore he retired. He could indeed have remained amongst them in security, had he chosen to exercise his power; but he would not: that so he might leave an example to his faithful servants, teaching them to flee from the rage of their cruel persecutors. (St. Augustine)
It was, more than any thing else, the glory of the land of Israel, that it was Emmanuel's land (Isa 8 8), not only the place of his birth, but the scene of his preaching and miracles. This land in our Saviour's time was divided into three parts: Judea in the south, Galilee in the north, and Samaria lying between them. Now, in this chapter, we have Christ in each of these three parts of that land. I. Departing out of Judea, ver 1-3. II. Passing through Samaria, which, though a visit in transitu, here takes up most room. 1. His coming into Samaria, ver 4-6. 2. His discourse with the Samaritan woman at a well, ver 7-26. 3. The notice which the woman gave of him to the city, ver 27-30. 4. Christ's talk with his disciples in the meantime, ver 31-38. 5. The good effect of this among the Samaritans, ver 39-42. III. We find him residing for some time in Galilee (ver 43-46), and his curing a nobleman's son there, that was at death's door, ver 46-54.
Verses 1-3 Jesus applied himself more to preaching, which was the more ( 1 Corinthians. 1:17 ) his disciples, by employing them to baptize. He teaches us that the benefit of sacraments depends not on the hand that administers them.