John 3:25

John 3:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.

Context of John 3:25

23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24(This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.

John 3:25 word by word

ἐγένετο οὖν ζήτησις ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν Ἰωάννου μετὰ Ἰουδαίου περὶ καθαρισμοῦ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• there aroseγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• a questionζήτησιςzētēsis · controversyG2214
• betweenμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• John’sἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• disciplesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
• aboutπερίperi · aboutG4012
• purifyingκαθαρισμόςkatharismos · cleansingG2512

Cross-references for John 3:25

• John 2:6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
• Matthew 3:11“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
• Mark 7:2and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.
• Hebrews 6:2instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
• Hebrews 9:10They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
• 1 Peter 3:21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Commentaries on John 3:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25John's disciples and the Jews - Instead of , Jews, ABELS. M. BV, nearly 100 others, some versions and fathers, read , a Jew, which Griesbach has admitted into the text. The person here spoken of was probably one who had been baptized by the disciples of our Lord; and the subject of debate seems to have been, whether the baptism of John, or that of Christ, was the most efficacious towards purifying.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25A question - Rather a controversy a dispute. John‘s disciples - Those who had been baptized by him, and who attached great efficacy and importance to the teaching of their master. Compare the notes at Acts 19:1-5. And the Jews - Many manuscripts, some of the fathers, and the ancient Syriac version read this in the singular number “with A Jew,” one who, it is commonly supposed, had been baptized by the disciples of Jesus. About purifying - What the precise…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-36Verses 22-36 John was fully satisfied with the place and work assigned him; but Jesus came on a more important work. He also knew that Jesus would increase in honour and influence, for of his government and peace there would be no end, while he himself would be less followed. John knew that Jesus came from heaven as the Son of God, while he was a sinful, mortal man, who could only speak about the more plain subjects of religion. The words of Jesus were…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-36John the Baptist says Jesus is truly "from above" (3:31). So, the followers of John need to start following Jesus instead.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 25-2625-26. between some of--rather, "on the part of." and the Jews--rather (according to the best manuscripts), "and a Jew," about purifying--that is, baptizing, the symbolical meaning of washing with water being put (as in Joh 2:6) for the act itself. As John and Jesus were the only teachers who baptized Jews, discussions might easily arise between the Baptist's disciples and such Jews as declined to submit to that rite.Read the comment

Topics related to John 3:25

• John

In the dictionaries

• Born
• Condemn
• Condemnation
• Darkness
• Decrease
• Faith
• Increase
• Love
• Testify
• Truth

Commentaries on John 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings