John 4:43

KJV

¶ Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} after {G3326} two {G1417} days {G2250} he departed {G565}{G1831} thence {G1564}, and {G2532} went into {G1519} Galilee {G1056}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After the two days, he went on from there toward the Galil.

Berean Standard Bible

After two days, Jesus left for Galilee.

American Standard Version

And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:43 marks a significant transition in Jesus' early ministry, chronicling His departure from Samaria after a impactful two-day stay and His subsequent journey into Galilee. This verse serves as a crucial geographical and narrative pivot, signaling the conclusion of an unexpected but fruitful outreach to the Samaritans and setting the stage for the next phase of His public teaching, healing, and revelation within His home region, foreshadowing both acceptance and the challenges He would face there.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' profound and transformative ministry in Sychar, a city in Samaria. The preceding narrative (John 4:1-42) details His encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, a conversation that breaks numerous social and religious barriers. Her testimony, combined with Jesus' direct teaching, led many Samaritans to believe in Him, declaring Him truly "the Savior of the world" ([John 4:42](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - The Samaritans' Confession")). Jesus' departure "after two days" indicates a divinely appointed duration for His work in this unexpected mission field, having fully accomplished His purpose before moving on. The verse also serves as a direct prelude to His return to Cana and the healing of the nobleman's son, establishing the beginning of His Galilean ministry as recorded by John.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey from Judea (where Jesus had been) through Samaria to Galilee was geographically logical, but culturally fraught. Jews typically avoided Samaria due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity, often taking longer routes around the region. Jesus' deliberate passage through Samaria and His engagement with its inhabitants, particularly the Samaritan woman, was revolutionary. Galilee itself, known as "Galilee of the Gentiles," was a diverse region, less religiously strict than Judea, and often looked down upon by the Jerusalem elite. It was Jesus' home territory, where He had grown up in Nazareth, and where much of His public ministry would unfold, yet it was also a place where a "prophet has no honor in his own country" ([John 4:44](/john/4-44 "John 4:44 - A Prophet's Honor")).
* **Key Themes:** John 4:43 contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel. It underscores the **itinerant and dynamic nature of Jesus' ministry**, demonstrating His constant movement in obedience to His Father's will and divine timing. The specific mention of "two days" highlights the theme of **divine intentionality and purpose** behind Jesus' every action and location. Furthermore, His return to Galilee, His "own country," sets up the theme of **reception and rejection**, as the subsequent verses will reveal the mixed responses He received in His homeland compared to the surprising openness He found in Samaria. This movement also emphasizes the **universal scope of Jesus' mission**, extending beyond Jewish boundaries to embrace all who would believe.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **departed (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb, meaning "to issue forth," "come out," or "go away," emphasizes a deliberate and purposeful movement. It's not a casual stroll but a strategic departure, indicating the completion of one phase of ministry and the initiation of another. The term suggests a decisive exit from the Samaritan context, signifying the fulfillment of His mission there.
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** Referring to a period of time, specifically "two days," this word highlights the precise, divinely ordained duration of Jesus' stay in Sychar. It underscores that Jesus' movements were not arbitrary but governed by a specific timetable and purpose, ensuring that His work in Samaria was thoroughly accomplished before He transitioned.
* **Galilee (Greek, _Galilaía'_):** Derived from a Hebrew word meaning "circle" or "district," this geographical name refers to the northern region of Palestine. Its mention here signifies a return to Jesus' primary base of operations and the main theater for His public ministry, marking a shift from the unexpected Samaritan outreach to the familiar, yet often challenging, territory of His upbringing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now after two days":** This phrase establishes the precise timing of Jesus' departure, emphasizing the brevity yet profound impact of His stay in Samaria. The "two days" were sufficient for the Samaritans to move from hearing the woman's testimony to believing directly in Jesus' words, signifying a complete and effective work in that place.
* **"he departed thence":** This indicates a physical movement away from Sychar and the region of Samaria. The departure is not a retreat but a strategic relocation, signifying the completion of His work in that specific area and His readiness to move to the next stage of His divine mission.
* **"and went into Galilee":** This clause specifies Jesus' destination. His return to Galilee, His home region, marks a significant geographical and ministerial shift. It sets the stage for the continuation of His public ministry, particularly the miracles and teachings that would define His early work in the northern part of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Transition** is the most prominent, marking a clear shift in geographical location and ministerial focus from Samaria to Galilee. This transition is underscored by the precise temporal marker of "after two days," highlighting the **Divine Timing** and intentionality behind Jesus' movements. The narrative employs **Conciseness** to convey a significant shift in a few words, demonstrating the Gospel writer's focus on the *what* and *where* of Jesus' journey rather than the *how* of the travel itself. Furthermore, this verse functions as a **Narrative Progression**, propelling the story forward from the surprising Samaritan outreach to the anticipated Galilean ministry, setting the stage for the events of [John 4:46-54](/john/4-46-54 "John 4:46-54 - The Healing of the Nobleman's Son").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:43, while seemingly a simple geographical notation, carries profound theological weight. It underscores the purposeful and strategic nature of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating that His movements were not random but guided by divine timing and a comprehensive redemptive plan. His departure from a surprisingly receptive Samaria to His "own country" of Galilee, where He anticipates a prophet has no honor, highlights the theme of divine sovereignty over human reception. This verse also implicitly reinforces Jesus' universal mission, as He moves from ministering to outcasts (Samaritans) to returning to His people, demonstrating that His saving work is for all, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries. It is a testament to His unwavering commitment to fulfilling the Father's will, moving where and when He was called, even when it meant facing familiar skepticism.

* [Luke 4:43](/luke/4-43 "Luke 4:43 - Jesus' Mission to Preach")
* [Mark 1:38](/mark/1-38 "Mark 1:38 - Jesus' Itinerant Ministry")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Scope of the Gospel's Spread")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:43 offers a powerful model for believers in discerning and embracing God's call in their own lives. Just as Jesus knew when His work in Samaria was complete and when it was time to move to Galilee, we are called to cultivate spiritual discernment regarding seasons of ministry, service, and even personal life. This verse reminds us that faithfulness often involves both deep engagement in one place and courageous transition to another, always in obedience to divine leading. It encourages us to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, recognizing that God's purposes unfold through dynamic movement and strategic placement. Our mission, like Jesus', is to complete the work He has given us, whether that means staying and investing deeply or departing to new frontiers for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern God's timing for transitions in my own life or ministry?**
* **What "Galilees" or "Samarias" might God be calling me to engage with, even if they are unfamiliar or challenging?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a greater sense of divine intentionality and purpose in my daily actions, mirroring Jesus' example?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus only stay "two days" in Samaria?**

Answer: The Gospel of John emphasizes the divine intentionality behind Jesus' actions. His two-day stay was not arbitrary but precisely the time needed to accomplish His purpose in Sychar. During this brief period, He had a profound encounter with the Samaritan woman, which led to her testimony, and then He spent time teaching the Samaritans directly, resulting in many believing in Him not just because of her words, but because [they had heard Him themselves](/john/4-41-42 "John 4:41-42 - Samaritans Believe Directly"). This demonstrates that Jesus' ministry was efficient and effective; He stayed exactly as long as was necessary to establish a nascent faith community before moving on to the next phase of His mission in Galilee.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:43, a seemingly simple geographical transition, subtly points to the broader Christ-centered narrative of redemption. Jesus' departure from Samaria and entry into Galilee foreshadows His ultimate mission to gather all people, both Jew and Gentile, into His kingdom. His willingness to minister in Samaria, a region despised by Jews, prefigures the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Barriers")) through His cross. His return to Galilee, His "own country," where He would face mixed reception, mirrors the broader truth that He "came to his own, and his own people did not receive him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own")). Yet, it was from this very region that He would call His first disciples ([Matthew 4:18-22](/matthew/4-18-22 "Matthew 4:18-22 - The Calling of the First Disciples")) and begin to establish the new covenant community. Thus, Jesus' journey in John 4:43 is not merely a physical movement but a living parable of His universal saving work, extending grace to the marginalized and calling His chosen ones, ultimately fulfilling the prophetic vision of a light shining in "Galilee of the Gentiles" ([Matthew 4:15-16](/matthew/4-15-16 "Matthew 4:15-16 - Light in Galilee")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 4:40

So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

Matthew 15:21

¶ Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15:24

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 4:13

And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

Romans 15:8

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers:

Mark 7:27

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] unto the dogs.

Mark 7:28

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.