Matthew Poole and continuators on John 4:3

3 He left Judea , and departed again into Galilee .

He left the Province of Iudea, which was near to Hierusalem, where the Pharisees had their chiefest Residence and greatest Power.

And went the second time into Galilee, whither he went once before, ch. 1.43. where he found Philip and Nathanael. Galilee was a Province under the Jurisdiction of Herod, Luke 3.1. This motion of our Saviours into Galilee, is reported by Matthew, ch. 4.12. and also by Mark, ch. 1.14. and Luke, ch. 4.14. The two former give another Reason of his motion, viz. his hearing that Iohn was cast into Prison; of which, and the cause of it, see Matth. 14.3, 4, 5, 6. So as after that, he publickly preached no more, which might possibly augment the number of Christs Disciples; Iohns Disciples following him: Both these causes probably concurred, to cause this motion. Iohn, who by preaching and baptizing, had laid the foundation of a Gospel Church in Galilee, was imprisoned; and our Saviour knew, that the number of his Disciples increasing upon Iohns confinement, an Information had been carried against him to the Pharisees; this made him, knowing that his time was not yet come, withdraw himself out of the Province of Iudea into that of Galilee, as well to supply the want there (Iohn being in Prison) as to provide for his own security.