He left Judea
In this phrase, "He" refers to Jesus Christ, who is central to the Gospel narrative. The act of leaving Judea is significant, as Judea was a region with deep religious and historical roots for the Jewish people. The Greek word for "left" (ἀφῆκεν, aphēken) implies a deliberate departure, suggesting that Jesus was intentionally moving away from potential conflict with the Pharisees, who were becoming increasingly aware of His growing influence. This decision reflects Jesus' strategic approach to His ministry, avoiding premature confrontation to fulfill His mission according to divine timing.

and returned again to Galilee
The phrase "returned again to Galilee" indicates a purposeful journey back to a region where Jesus had previously ministered. Galilee, in contrast to Judea, was a more rural and less politically charged area, often seen as a place of humble beginnings. The Greek word for "returned" (ἀπῆλθεν, apēlthen) suggests a return to a familiar place, highlighting Jesus' connection to Galilee as a significant location for His ministry. Historically, Galilee was a melting pot of cultures and peoples, making it an ideal setting for Jesus to spread His message to a diverse audience. This movement from Judea to Galilee underscores the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission, reaching beyond the religious elite to the common people.

(3) Again.--This word is almost certainly part of the original text, though it is not found in some MSS. Its omission is due to a difficulty of interpretation. What is the previous return into Galilee? The only one mentioned in this Gospel is that of John 1:43. We have had another note of time in John 3:24, from which we learn that this Judaean period of the ministry preceded the imprisonment of John, and therefore the commencement of the Galilean ministry recorded in Matthew 4:12 (see Note there) and Mark 1:14. This second return, then, is the starting-point of the history of our Lord's work in Galilee as told by the earlier Gospels.

Verse 3. - He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. But it should be observed that ἀφῆκε is a very peculiar word for a simple departure. The verb ἀφίημι is used when καταλείπω might have been expected (Westcott). The word means "to leave a thing to itself," to its own ways, to treat it as no longer exercising an influence on the mind. (It is, with the noun ἄφφεσις, used for "forgive," "forgiveness," of sins.) Jesus left Judaea, which had so imperfectly accepted his claims. The word suggests that his departure was a consequence of the action of the Pharisees; And he departed again. This refers to the first departure after the early testimonies of John, when Jesus went to Cana and Capernaum (John 1:43). Whether this journey corresponded with that mentioned in Matthew and Mark, as following the baptism and temptation of Jesus, or not, it is not to be confounded with the journey which John had already recorded.

Parallel Commentaries ...


He left
ἀφῆκεν (aphēken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

Judea
Ἰουδαίαν (Ioudaian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2449: Judea, a Roman province, capital Jerusalem. Feminine of Ioudaios; the Judaean land, a region of Palestine.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

returned
ἀπῆλθεν (apēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Galilee.
Γαλιλαίαν (Galilaian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1056: Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine.


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NT Gospels: John 4:3 He left Judea and departed into Galilee (Jhn Jo Jn)