When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.

These verses explain why Christ left Judea and returned to Galilee. Evidently the controversy noted in the last chapter (3:22-27) had stirred up no little excitement. "The Jew" who disputed with John's disciples was probably. Pharisee. This bitter sect was noting the increasing influence of Christ. There were, therefore, two reasons for departure; first, to avoid arousing the jealousy of John's disciples, and secondly, to prevent. premature conflict with the Pharisees.

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