He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

JOHN 4:3KJV
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John 4:3 (KJV)

What does John 4:3 mean?

John 4:3 says that Jesus left the region of Judaea and traveled again to Galilee. This verse marks a transition in Jesus’ journey, showing a deliberate move from one area to another.

In this part of John’s Gospel, the narrator is describing Jesus’ movements. Jesus had been in Judaea, the southern region where Jerusalem is located, and now he is heading north to Galilee. This sets the stage for the next events, including his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, which happens as he passes through Samaria on the way.

Why John 4:3 matters

  • John 4:3 helps the reader track where Jesus is and why he ends up meeting people outside the usual Jewish circles, like the Samaritan woman in the next verses.
  • The verse quietly signals a shift in Jesus’ ministry, moving from the religious center in Judaea to the more rural, mixed region of Galilee.
  • This travel detail connects the story to real geography, grounding the narrative in actual places and making the events more concrete for the reader.

Where else these words appear

“Judaea” Greek G2449 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  • Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

“Galilee” Greek G1056 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
  • Luke 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

“departed” Greek G565 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
  • Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

“left” Greek G863 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
  • Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.