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Commentaries
English
John
  
4. The raising of Lazarus and the outcome
(John 10:40 – 11:54)

a) Jesus across the Jordan
(John 10:40 – 11:16)
40He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptized, and there he remained.41And many came to him; and they said, "John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true."42And many believed in him there.


The conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees broke out; they incited the people’s leaders after he had healed the cripple at Bethesda (Chapter 5). At the end of his third visit to Jerusalem, this conflict developed towards a climax. Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not overcome it. At all times, Jesus was exposed to the risk of death. Bodily he entered the temple again and again, guiding his disciples into maturity in knowledge and trust, while his foes moved to the nadir of hatred.
Following on the Feast of Dedication, Jesus left Jerusalem, and went to a region beyond Jordan, where the High Council had no jurisdiction. Here John the Baptist had preached earlier, outside Jewish authority, but under one of the Herodian kings. The Baptist was well-known there; his witness to Jesus evident.
Those who had believed because of the Baptist had continued in their faith. Their teacher had been beheaded. When Jesus arrived, they rushed to him, knowing his humility, majesty and power. Jesus offered them examples of his signs, faithfully preaching about God and man. So many opened their hearts to the Gospel, holding on to their faith in the Baptist’s prophetic role, though the Baptist had not offered miracles to justify this role. But as soon as Jesus came to them, they trusted in him as Lord and Savior.