Jesus’ mysterious escape (v. 39) ends the confrontation at Solomon’s Colonnade in the temple at the Feast of Dedication (cf. v. 22), just as his earlier escape had ended the confrontation in the temple at the Feast of Tabernacles (cf. 8:59). This time he leaves Jerusalem itself, the scene of his activities since 7:14, and returns to Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where he has spent time with John the Baptist and begun to gather a group of disciples (vv. 40–42; cf. 1:19–51; 3:26). The earlier narrative implied that Jesus had a place to stay in Bethany (1:38–39), and it was there perhaps that he stayed again (v. 40).

The reflection on John the Baptist and his testimony on Jesus’ behalf (v. 41) recalls 1:29–34, but the accompanying reminder that John never performed a miraculous sign…