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.
• New International Version (NIV)An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.
• 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.

Context of John 3:25

23At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24(This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” 27John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it 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 2:6Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.
• Matthew 3:11“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
• Mark 7:2They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating.
• Hebrews 6:2You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
• Hebrews 9:10For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.
• 1 Peter 3:21And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of 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