John 4 John 4 John 4 is the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The Pharisees learn that Jesus is baptizing more people than John the Baptist. notes that "... in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples", although clearly suggests that Jesus himself was baptizing - "that man who was with you (John the Baptist) on the other side of the Jordan". Jesus learns this, leaves Judea, and sets off to return to Galilee. records that in order to reach Galilee it was necessary to pass through Samaria, although
John the Baptist that life, but remains under 'God's displeasure.' Simon J. Joseph has argued that the Gospel demotes the historical John by painting him only as a prophetic forerunner to Jesus whereas his ministry actually complemented Jesus'. Although Mark's Gospel implies that the arrival of John the Baptist is the fulfilment of a prophecy from the Book of Isaiah, the words quoted ("I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way – a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'") are actually a composite of texts from