Into a city called Ephraim,— The situation of Ephraim has not yet been determined; all that John says of it, is, that it stood in a country near the wilderness; perhaps he meant the wilderness which is said to have gone up from Jericho to Bethel, Joshua 16:1. For Josephus mentions Ephraim as not far from Bethel. Eusebius, in his Onomasticon, upon the word Αγγαι, the ancient Ai, tells us, that Bethel lay in the road from Jerusalem to Sichem in Samaria, at the distance of twelve miles from Jerusalem. The same author says, that Ephraim was a larger city, eight miles from Jerusalem towards the north.
Related Commentaries of John 11:54
John 11:54
54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.