{For Jesus himself testified} (autos gar I(8873)ous
emartur(8873)en). John's explanation of the conduct of Jesus by
quoting a proverb often used by Jesus ( Mr 6:4  Mt 13:57  Lu
4:24  in reference to Nazareth), but not necessarily used by
Jesus on this occasion. A similar proverb has been found in
Plutarch, Pliny, Seneca. {A prophet hath no honour in his own
country} (proph(8874)(8873) en t(8869) idi(8369) patridi tim(886e) ouk echei). What
is meant by patridi? In the Synoptics ( Lu 4:24  Mr 6:4  Mt
13:57 ) the reference is to Nazareth where he was twice rejected.
But what has John in mind in quoting it here? He probably knew
the quotations in the Synoptics. Does John refer to Judea by "his
own country"? If so, the application hardly fits for he had
already explained that Jesus was leaving Judea because he was too
popular there ( 4:1-3 ). If he means Galilee, he immediately
mentions the cordial welcome accorded Jesus there (verse  45 ).
But even so this is probably John's meaning for he is speaking of
the motive of Jesus in going into Galilee where he had not yet
laboured and where he apparently had no such fame as in Judea and
now in Samaria.