John 11:54 kjv
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.
John 11:54 nkjv
Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
John 11:54 niv
Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
John 11:54 esv
Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.
John 11:54 nlt
As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
John 11 54 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 7:1 | After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Jewry; because the Jews sought to kill him. | Foreshadowing deliberate withdrawal |
| John 10:40 | And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at the first baptized; and there he abode. | Pattern of moving to the wilderness |
| Luke 9:51 | And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. | Commitment to the journey to Jerusalem |
| Mark 10:17 | And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him of him, Good Master, what shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life? | Mention of Jesus setting out on a journey |
| John 11:7 | Then saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. | Previous plan to enter Judea |
| John 11:8 | His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? | Disciples' concern about danger |
| John 11:16 | Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. | Disciple's willingness to face danger |
| Exodus 12:18 | Ye shall eat the unleavened bread; even in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. | Passover instructions, timing is key |
| Deuteronomy 16:16 | Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: | Requirement to appear at Passover |
| Leviticus 23:2 | Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall hallow in holy convocations, even these is my feast. | Feasts as holy convocations |
| 1 Corinthians 5:7 | Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: | Christ as the Passover lamb |
| John 2:13 | And the Jews' Passover was nigh, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. | Jesus going to Jerusalem for Passover |
| John 3:29 | He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. | John the Baptist's affirmation of Jesus’ supremacy |
| John 4:1 | When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, | Jesus operating in a region distinct from Pharisees |
| Isaiah 43:2 | When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: they shall not drown thee when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. | God's presence amidst danger |
| Psalm 23:4 | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. | Trust in God's protection during perilous times |
| John 11:55 | And the Jews' Passover was nigh: and many went up out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. | Common practice before Passover |
| 1 Corinthians 11:24 | And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. | Connection to bread and sacrifice |
| John 11:48 | If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. | Jewish leaders’ fear of Roman intervention |
| John 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | Jesus' divine nature and eternal plan |
John 11 verses
John 11 54 Meaning
Jesus deliberately withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples because the Passover of the Jews was approaching, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to consecrate themselves. This withdrawal signifies Jesus’ understanding of the imminent danger from the religious authorities and his strategic decision to delay his final confrontation until the appointed time.
John 11 54 Context
This verse, John 11:54, occurs within the broader narrative of Jesus’ final days leading up to his crucifixion. The chapter recounts the resurrection of Lazarus, an event that significantly amplified Jesus’ popularity and the alarm of the Jewish religious authorities. Following this miracle, the chief priests and Pharisees convened, explicitly plotting to kill Jesus (John 11:53). In response, Jesus, demonstrating divine knowledge and foreknowledge, strategically withdraws from the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem and his primary antagonists, moving to Ephraim near the wilderness. This action is contextualized by the imminent celebration of the Passover, a time of heightened national and religious fervor in Judea. Many would travel to Jerusalem for the festival, presenting both an opportunity for Jesus to interact with more people and a risk due to the heightened surveillance by authorities. The withdrawal is a tactical maneuver, not an avoidance of his ultimate purpose, but a calculated delay to fulfill his divine mission at the appointed time.
John 11 54 Word Analysis
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The proper name of the Son of God, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." His identity and mission are central to the entire Gospel.
- therefore (οὖν - oun): A conjunction indicating consequence or inference. Here, it connects his withdrawal to the previous plot against him by the chief priests and Pharisees.
- walked no more (οὐκέτι περιεπάτει - ouketi peripatei): Literally, "no longer walked around" or "did not continue to go about." This emphasizes a deliberate cessation of his public activity in that immediate area.
- openly (πappnoίᾳ - parrhesia): Means "openly," "boldly," or "with freedom of speech." The implication is that his previous mode of ministry had been open and public. His withdrawal marks a change in his immediate public exposure.
- among (ἐν - en): A preposition indicating location or sphere.
- the Jews (τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - tois Ioudaiois): Referring to the Jewish people, but often in this Gospel context, it specifically refers to the ruling religious and political authorities.
- but went thence (ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν - alla apelthen ekeithen): "But departed from there." A clear statement of his physical movement away from a dangerous locale.
- into a country (εἰς τὴν χώραν - eis tēn chōran): "Into the country" or "region." This indicates a less populated or provincial area.
- near (ἐγγὺς - engys): Close to.
- the wilderness (τῆς ἐρήμου - tēs erēmou): "The wilderness" or "desert." This imagery often signifies places of testing, preparation, and encounter with God, but also a place away from the crowds and authorities.
- to a city (εἰς πόλιν - eis polin): "To a city" or "town."
- called (καλουμένη - kaloumenē): "Named" or "called."
- Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ - Ephraim): A place name, the exact location of which is debated, but known to be in a region away from Jerusalem and Jewish centers of power. It signifies a retreat.
- and there continued (κἀκεῖ διέτριβεν μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ - kai ekei dietriben meta tōn mathētōn autou): "And there he spent time/remained with his disciples." Indicates a period of rest, teaching, and preparation for the disciples away from public scrutiny.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "walked no more openly among the Jews": This phrase signifies a strategic shift in Jesus’ ministry. It doesn't mean he ceased his work or his public witness altogether, but rather he moved away from the areas where the Jewish leadership held sway and actively sought his life, and he refrained from ostentatious public displays that would provoke immediate arrest. It points to wisdom and divine timing in navigating conflict.
- "went thence into a country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim": This identifies the specific destination and geographic context of his retreat. "The wilderness" is significant biblical imagery, and the name "Ephraim" indicates a locale remote enough for temporary sanctuary and focused discipleship.
John 11 54 Bonus Section
The withdrawal to Ephraim is reminiscent of Elijah's retreat to the Cherith Ravine (1 Kings 17:3) or Jesus' own temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). These periods away from public life were crucial for divine encounter, strength, and discerning God's will before undertaking major public ministries. For Jesus, this time in Ephraim was a prelude to his final, deliberate journey to Jerusalem for the Passover sacrifice, underscoring the orchestrated nature of his mission. It also highlights the importance of spiritual preparation and concentrated teaching for his closest followers in anticipation of the immense challenges ahead.
John 11 54 Commentary
Jesus, knowing the determined hostility of the Jewish leaders after the raising of Lazarus, makes a calculated move. He withdraws from public life in the vicinity of Jerusalem to a less accessible region near the wilderness, to a town named Ephraim. This action demonstrates not fear, but strategic wisdom, aligning with his divine plan. It’s a period of private instruction for his disciples before the final events unfold. The approach of the Passover, a time of pilgrimage, heightens the tension; while many traveled to Jerusalem, Jesus moved to a quieter locale, indicating he was not seeking a confrontation at this specific moment but waiting for the appointed time of his sacrificial Passover. His presence in Ephraim, though not widely public, was still preparing the way for what was to come.