When therefore the Lord knew, &c.— The Baptist's imprisonment happened while our Lord was in Judea (see Mark 6:17., &c.) where he continued till the fame of his doctrine, disciples, and miracles, reaching Jerusalem, gave umbrage to the Pharisees. These men, claiming it as the privilege of their sect to direct the consciences of the people, were enraged to find numbers of them acknowledging as the Messiah one whose birth and fortune so little suited the notions which they had taught concerning the great deliverer of the nation; wherefore, to shun the effects of their malice, Jesus, who knew all that passed, retired with his disciples into Galilee. His presence it seems was necessary there, as the ministry of his forerunner in that country was now brought to a period. The evangelist observes, John 4:2 that Jesus himself baptized not, which perhaps he omitted to do, because he did not choose to baptize in his own name, and because it was of more importance to preach than to baptize. (1 Corinthians 1:17.) Besides, it might have given those who were baptized by him, occasion to value themselves above others; as happened in the church of Corinth, where the brethren valued themselves upon the character of the person who had baptized them. Perhaps too this might be partly to avoid importunate inquiries whether he was the Messiah, and partly to prevent those prejudices which might have arisen against the more perfect form of baptism afterwards instituted, if any had received this less perfect baptism from Christ himself. Indeed the baptism properly his, was that of the Holy Ghost.
Related Commentaries of John 4:1
John 4:1-3
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.