John 10:39–40

Followeth the third encounter betwixt Christ and these Jewes, and the event of this debate, wherein they let out more of their fury, and he departs from them to a place where he gets more comfortable employment; And so he leaves Jerusalem, after he had stayed in it, since the feast of Tabernacles, Chap. 7.

In these verses, we have the violent and continued fury of those Jewes; who being convinced, will not submit, but do run upon the light, and seek to take him: And his avoiding their fury, and withdrawing toward Bethabara, and abiding there. Whence learn, 1. Convictions of mens judgements will not alwayes gain upon them, nor will Christs taking pains for that end, do any good; for, after all this clear reasoning, which they could not resist nor refute; they do not yeeld. 2 The more pains is taken upon malicious Reprobates, the greater will their malice grow, and their convictions, not being sanctified, will degenerate into violent opposition to the light, and the Messengers thereof; for, without any yeelding, Therefore they sought to take him. 3. The maine disappointments wherewith adversaries meet in their cruel designes, will not mollifie them, nor hinder them to pursue their cruel designes, on all occasions; for, albeit they had essayed this course in vain before, yet they sought again to take him. 4. Men cannot be so assiduous in prosecuting their cruel purposes, but the Lord can as constantly disappoint them, and make one attempt prosper no better then another; for, as of before, so now again, he escaped out of their hands. 5. Christ, in his own person hath sanctified these means, whereof his people need to make use, in their trials; Therefore doth he make use of escaping, or fleeing out of their hand. 6 When men persist in their contempt and persecution of Christ, he is provoked to leave them; for, He went away again (having been there before, Chap 1. 28, 29) beyond Jordan, or to Bethabara, Chap. 1. 28. and there he abode. 7. When Christ is banished and persecuted from one place, he will not want another, to which he may repair; for, he hath a place beyond Jordan, wherein to abide. 8. Where the Lord hath taken much pains on a people, he will come to crave an account of the fruits thereof; Therefore did Christ go to the place where John at first baptized, to try what fruits his Ministry had left behinde it.