The Pharisees are plotting to kill Jesus, and Jesus withdraws; please don’t mistake this as cowardice. Jesus is not afraid of confrontation or conflict. He will continually and boldly expose and challenge the Pharisees pronouncing judgment and warning on them. We will see Jesus repeatedly withdraw when things get this intense, but there is never a hint of fear of man.
After the shootout at the O.K. Corral in the movie Tombstone, as the marshall turns to arrest the Earps and Doc Holliday, Wyatt looks the sheriff in the eye and says, “I don’t think I’ll let you arrest us today.” Jesus is doing something like that here. Every time He withdraws it is as if He is saying, “I’ll let you kill me, but not today. My death will be according to My plan, not yours. It will be My victory, not yours.”
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father. – John 10:17-18
No Other Boast 