Bible Strands
John 11:54
As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative places Jesus in Judea immediately after religious leaders plot to kill Him, prompting a relocation before the Passover festival. He withdraws with His disciples to a town near the wilderness.
The words — The Greek οὐκέτι (ouketi) means "no longer" and παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia) means "publicly," marking a deliberate shift from open ministry to concealed movement.
The thread — This withdrawal echoes Jesus’ earlier avoidance of Judea in John 7:1 and connects to the geographic mention of Ephraim in 2 Chronicles 13:19, while contrasting with the expectation of public revelation in John 7:4.
Why it lands — The text records that Jesus ceased public movement among Jewish leaders and relocated with His disciples. Readers must acknowledge that mission timing sometimes requires strategic concealment rather than continued public engagement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- John 7:1 After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.
- 2 Chronicles 13:19 Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some cities from him: Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, along with their villages.
- John 7:4 For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.”
- 2 Samuel 13:23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king.
- John 4:1 When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John
- John 7:10 But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, He also went—not publicly, but in secret.
- John 7:13 Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.
- John 10:40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there.
- John 18:20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.