Jesus Withdraws to Ephraim
October 31, 2022
Commentary
Many of the people who had come to visit Mary saw the things that Jesus did, and they put their faith in him (v. 45). When Jesus presents Himself there are always two responses. Some believe on Him and others are hardened in their sin. In this case the latter group went to Jerusalem to report what had happened in Bethany (v. 46). Upon learning of this, the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) met to discuss what to do with Jesus (v. 47). If He gathered too many followers, He might get the attention of the Roman authority; and this could hurt the Jewish cause (v. 48). Caiaphas, the high priest, reasons that if Jesus lives, the nation will die (vv. 49-53). In the interest of patriotism, Jesus must die so that the nation will live. These leaders thought they were in control of the situation, but instead God was working out His predetermined plan (Acts 2:23). Christ would die to save the nation spiritually, whereas Caiaphas intended for Him to die to save the nation politically.
Jesus, knowing their intentions, withdrew himself to Ephraim, about fifteen miles north of Jerusalem where He stayed with His disciples (v. 54). This little village provided a place for rest and it was close to the wilderness of Judea in case it was necessary to escape. At the same time the pilgrims were coming to Jerusalem for the Passover and there was much excitement over the ministry of Christ (v. 55). As the crowd was gathering in Jerusalem for the Passover feast, the pilgrims were wondering if Jesus would attend the feast even though his life was in danger. Popular opinion among the common people was in His favor. However, the religious authorities made it clear that any who saw Him must report it so they might arrest Him (vv. 56-57).
Application
Have you known of a Christian leader who felt threatened by another Christian who was successful? This was a big problem with the religious leaders in Jesus’ day and is still a problem today. Lord, help me to rejoice when another person is praised and I am not.
John 11:45– 57 (NET)
45 Then many of the people, who had come with Mary and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and reported to them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees called the council together and said, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on in this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away our sanctuary and our nation.”
49 Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is more to your advantage to have one man die for the people than for the whole nation to perish.” 51 (Now he did not say this on his own, but because he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not for the Jewish nation only, but to gather together into one the children of God who are scattered.) 53 So from that day they planned together to kill him.
54 Thus Jesus no longer went around publicly among the Judeans, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples. 55 Now the Jewish Feast of Passover was near, and many people went up to Jerusalem from the rural areas before the Passover to cleanse themselves ritually. 56 Thus they were looking for Jesus, and saying to one another as they stood in the temple courts, “What do you think? That he won’t come to the feast?” 57 (Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should report it, so that they could arrest him.)