Joh 3:22-25 | RWP | e4.org | After these things ( μετα ταυτα ). Transition after the interview with Nicodemus. For the phrase see ; ; . Into the land of Judea ( εις την Ιουδαιαν γην ). Into the country districts outside of Jerusalem. The only example of this phrase in the N.T., but "the region of Judea" ( η Ιουδαια χωρα ) in . He tarried ( διετριβεν ). Descriptive imperfect active of διατριβω , old verb to rub between or hard, to spend time ( ). Baptized ( εβαπτιζεν ). Imperfect active of βαπτιζω . "He was baptizing." The six disciples were with him and in John explains that Jesus did the baptizing through the disciples.

‏ John 3:22-25

After these things ( μετα ταυτα ). Transition after the interview with Nicodemus. For the phrase see 5:1; 6:1; 7:1.

Into the land of Judea ( εις την Ιουδαιαν γην ). Into the country districts outside of Jerusalem. The only example of this phrase in the N.T., but "the region of Judea" ( η Ιουδαια χωρα ) in Mr 1:5.

He tarried ( διετριβεν ). Descriptive imperfect active of διατριβω, old verb to rub between or hard, to spend time (Ac 14:3).

Baptized ( εβαπτιζεν ). Imperfect active of βαπτιζω. "He was baptizing." The six disciples were with him and in 4:2 John explains that Jesus did the baptizing through the disciples.

John was also baptizing ( ην δε κα ο Ιωανης βαπτιζων ). Periphrastic imperfect picturing the continued activity of the Baptist simultaneous with the growing work of Jesus. There was no real rivalry except in people's minds.

In Aenon near to Salim ( εν Αινων εγγυς του Σαλειμ ). It is not clearly known where this place was. Eusebius locates it in the Jordan valley south of Beisan west of the river where are many springs (fountains, eyes). There is a place called Salim east of Shechem in Samaria with a village called 'Aimen, but with no water there. There may have been water there then, of course.

Because there was much water there ( οτ υδατα πολλα ην εκε ). "Because many waters were there." Not for drinking, but for baptizing. "Therefore even in summer baptism by immersion could be continued" (Marcus Dods).

And they came, and were baptized ( κα παρεγινοντο κα εβαπτιζοντο ). Imperfects both, one middle and the other passive, graphically picturing the long procession of pilgrims who came to John confessing their sins and receiving baptism at his hands.

For John had not yet been cast into prison ( ουπω γαρ ην βεβλημενος εις την φυλακην Ιωανης ). Periphrastic past perfect indicative of βαλλω explaining ( γαρ ) why John was still baptizing, the reason for the imprisonment having been given by Luke (Lu 3:19f.).

A questioning ( ζητησις ). Old word from ζητεω. See Ac 15:2 for the word where also ζητημα (question) occurs. Ζητησις (process of inquiry) means a meticulous dispute (1Ti 6:4).

With a Jew ( μετα Ιουδαιου ). So correct text, not Ιουδαιων (Jews). Probably some Jew resented John's baptism of Jesus as implying impurity or that they were like Gentiles (cf. proselyte baptism).

About purifying ( περ καθαρισμου ). See 2:6 for the word. The committee from the Sanhedrin had challenged John's right to baptize (1:25). The Jews had various kinds of baptisms or dippings (Heb 6:2), "baptisms of cups and pots and brazen vessels" (Mr 6:4). The disciples of John came to him with the dispute (the first known baptismal controversy, on the meaning of the ceremony) and with a complaint.