John 10:40-42 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And, presently departing from Jerusalem, he went again beyond Jordan Into Perea, a country for the most part desert and rocky; the place where John at first baptized Called Bethabara, John 1:28; and there he abode Probably till he came into Judea, to raise Lazarus from the dead, that being the next particular mentioned by this evangelist. If so, the time of his abode in these parts must have been considerable: and, as appears from what follows, was not spent there in vain. For many of the inhabitants of that place, who had been formerly acquainted with John the Baptist, and remembered the strong and repeated testimonies which he had borne to Jesus, resorted unto him To attend his ministry; and said, John did no miracle For it seems John was not endued with the power of working miracles, that the authority of Jesus might be more conspicuous and unquestionable; but all things that John spake of this man were true The character which John gave of one that was to come after him, is completely verified by the doctrine and miracles of this person. And many believed on him there Believed him to be the Messiah, the Son of God. And thus they happily improved this season of Christ's recess among them, as the means of their instruction, and establishment in piety. Thus we see the testimony of John the Baptist was recollected to excellent purposes, while he himself was mouldering in his tomb. And what can a faithful minister account a greater happiness, or more earnestly desire, than that, even while he is dead, he may yet speak for the honour of Christ, and the salvation of souls?