Paragraph 10:40–42

Jesus went back to the east side of the Jordan River, away from Jerusalem. This was a quieter and safer area, and he could continue to teach and heal the people.

10:40a

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan: Jesus crossed the Jordan River, going from the west to the east side. The Jordan River is also mentioned in 1:28a. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

Jesus then went back again across the Jordan River (Good News Translation)

10:40b

to the place where John had first been baptizing: This place, Bethany, is referred to in 1:28a–b. You may want to write a footnote that refers your readers to 1:28.

John: The name John here refers to John the Baptist, who is first mentioned in 1:19a.

first: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as first here refers to a time about three years before. That is when John declared who Jesus was and people started believing Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this word:

in the early days (New International Version)
-or-
at first (English Standard Version)
-or-
in the place where John first baptized people (God’s Word)

10:40c

and He stayed there: The word there refers to the place where John had baptized. Jesus stayed there for a few weeks, and maybe as long as three months. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He stayed there for a while
-or-
and that is where he stayed
-or-
While Jesus was there (Contemporary English Version)

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