The disciples of Jesus baptising (notes)

Saint John - Chapter 4

The disciples of Jesus baptising. J-J Tissot

[1] Ut ergo cognovit Jesus quia audierunt pharisaei quod Jesus plures discipulos facit, et baptizat, quam Joannes
When Jesus therefore understood that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus maketh more disciples, and baptizeth more than John,

[2] ( quamquam Jesus non baptizaret, sed discipuli ejus),
(Though Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples,)

[3] reliquit Judaeam, et abiit iterum in Galilaeam.
He left Judea, and went again into Galilee.

[4] Oportebat autem eum transire per Samariam
And he was of necessity to pass through Samaria.

Notes (Cornelius A Lapide)

[1] Ut ergo cognovit Jesus quia audierunt pharisaei quod Jesus plures discipulos facit, et baptizat, quam Joannes
When Jesus therefore understood that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus maketh more disciples, and baptizeth more than John,

[2] ( quamquam Jesus non baptizaret, sed discipuli ejus),
(Though Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples,)

Although Jesus, &c. Both because Jesus was occupied in the greater works of preaching and healing the sick; as Paul saith, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17), also that He might show that the efficacy of His baptism was greater than that of John’s. See what has been said on 3:32.

[3] reliquit Judaeam, et abiit iterum in Galilaeam.
He left Judea, and went again into Galilee.

He left Judea, &c. Not as though He feared death, but that He might mollify the envy of the Pharisees, says S. Chrysostom. For the Pharisees were very influential. For most of the priests, senators, and magistrates belonged to their sect. This was the second occasion of Christ retiring into Galilee, the first being in chap. 1:43.

[4] Oportebat autem eum transire per Samariam
And he was of necessity to pass through Samaria.

He must needs, &c. For Samaria lies betwixt Judea and Galilee. Cyril observes that Christ does not here go counter to his own command, by which He enjoined on His apostles not to go into the cities of the Samaritans (S. Matt. 10:5). For He there forbids them not to go to the Samaritans of set purpose, nor to continuously evangelise them, lest they should prejudice the Jews, who were their enemies, against themselves and the faith of Christ. Jesus on this occasion was only passing through Samaria on His way to Galilee.

Samaria was the district which was occupied by the tribe of Ephraim, and half the tribe of Manasseh. It took its name of Samaria from the royal city, which was built upon the hill Somer. See 1 Kings 16:24.

Totus tuus ego sum 

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam