John 3:25
Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
John 3:25 in other translations
| BSB | Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing. |
|---|---|
| WEB | Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. |
| ASV | There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying. |
| YLT | there arose then a question from the disciples of John with some Jews about purifying, |
| DARBY | There was therefore a reasoning of the disciples of John with a Jew about purification. |
| BBE | Then a question came up between John's disciples and a Jew about washing. |
| Webster | Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews, about purifying. |
What does John 3:25 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 3:25-26
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
John's disciples. Those who had been baptized by him, and who attached great efficacy and importance to the teaching of their master. Comp. Acts 19:1, also Acts 19:2-5.
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 subject of this dispute was we do not know. From what follows, it would seem probable that it was about the comparative value and efficacy of the baptism performed by John and by the disciples of Jesus. The word purifying may be applied to baptism, as it was an emblem of repentance and purity, and was thus used by the Jews, by John, and by Jesus. About this subject it seems that a dispute arose, and was carried to such a length that complaint was made to John. From this we may learn,
1st. That even in the time of Jesus, when the gospel began to be preached, there was witnessed--what has been ever since --unhappy disputings on the subject of religion. Even young converts may, by overheated zeal and ignorance, fall into angry discussion.
2nd. That such discussions are commonly about some unimportant matter of religion--something which they may not yet be qualified to understand, and which does not materially affect them if they could.
3rd. That such disputes are often connected with a spirit of proselytism-- with boasting of the superior excellence of the sect with which we are connected, or in connection with whom we have been converted, and often with a desire to persuade others to join with us.
4th. That such a spirit is eminently improper on such occasions. Love should characterize the feelings of young converts; a disposition to inquire and not to dispute; a willingness that all should follow the dictates of their own consciences, and not a desire to proselyte them to our way of thinking or to our church. It may be added that there is scarcely anything which so certainly and effectually arrests a revival of religion as such a disposition to dispute, and to make proselytes to particular modes of faith, and of administering the ordinances of the gospel.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 3:22-36
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…
John 3:25 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for John 3:25
- John 2:6
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
- Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
- Hebrews 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
- Hebrews 9:10
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
- Hebrews 9:23
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
- 1 Peter 3:21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
- Mark 7:8
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
- Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
- Mark 7:2-5
And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- John 3:24
For John was not yet cast into prison.
- John 3:25
Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
- John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
John 3:25 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y hubo cuestión entre los discípulos de Juan y los Judíos acerca de la purificación. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Il y eut donc une discussion entre quelques-uns des disciples de Jean et un Juif, touchant la purification. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Es entstand nun eine Streitfrage unter den Jüngern Johannes mit einem Juden über die Reinigung. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Facta est autem quæstio ex discipulis Joannis cum Judæis de purificatione. |