John 3 23

John 3:23 kjv

And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

John 3:23 nkjv

Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

John 3:23 niv

Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.

John 3:23 esv

John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized

John 3:23 nlt

At 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.

John 3 verses

John 3 23 Meaning

John 3:23 describes the continued baptizing ministry of John the Baptist in a specific location, Aenon near Salim, notable for its abundant water. This verse highlights the ongoing spiritual activity among the people who responded to John’s call, indicating the persistent and significant impact of his preparatory work, drawing large crowds who came and were baptized. It subtly sets the stage for the following discourse, emphasizing the co-existence and later the succession of ministries between John and Jesus.

John 3 23 Context

John 3:23 is positioned after Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus about being born of water and the Spirit (John 3:1-21) and immediately precedes the account of John the Baptist's disciples coming to him with concerns about Jesus gaining more followers (John 3:25-26). The verse functions as a transition, affirming John's continued active ministry even as Jesus's own baptizing ministry (conducted through His disciples) was gaining momentum (John 3:22, John 4:1-2). Historically, the region described, possibly near the Jordan Valley, was conducive for John's mass baptisms due to the readily available water, vital for full immersion. The concurrent ministries highlight the divine orchestration, with John faithfully completing his role as the forerunner by preparing people and ultimately testifying to Jesus's increasing significance and supremacy.

John 3 23 Word analysis

• And John also (Καὶ Ἰωάννης δὲ): The conjunction "And" (καὶ) connects John's ongoing ministry to the preceding events, particularly Jesus's activities in Judea. "Also" (δὲ) emphasizes that John's baptizing continued in addition to Jesus's work, implying parallel yet distinct ministries. This underscores John's faithful completion of his divinely appointed task as forerunner.
• was baptizing (βαπτίζων ἦν): The Greek imperfect tense, baptizōn ēn, signifies an ongoing or continuous action. It means John was not merely performing a single baptism but engaging in a consistent and protracted ministry of baptizing. The root word baptizo (βαπτίζω) means to immerse, plunge, or dip, confirming John's practice of full water immersion for purification and symbolic change.
• in Aenon (ἐν Αἰνὼν): This is a specific geographical location. "Aenon" likely derives from the Semitic word for "springs" or "fountains," suggesting a place with multiple water sources. Its precision grounds the narrative in historical reality and explains the practical choice for John's extensive work.
• near Salim (ἐγγὺς τοῦ Σαλείμ): Another geographical marker, specifying Aenon's proximity to the town of Salim. This reinforces the actual physical setting of John's ministry, indicating a location that allowed access for many people to assemble and undergo baptism. The abundance of water was a key feature of this specific site.
• because there was much water there (ὅτι ὕδατα πολλὰ ἦν ἐκεῖ): This clause provides the explicit reason for John choosing this particular location. "Much water" (ὕδατα πολλὰ) implies a plentiful supply, sufficient for numerous full immersions. This pragmatic detail is essential for a large-scale baptismal ministry and differentiates Aenon from areas with scarce water.
• and they came (καὶ παρεγίνοντο): Another imperfect tense verb, indicating that people were continually coming to John. It speaks to the consistent flow of individuals drawn to his message and ministry of repentance. This demonstrates the popularity and spiritual impact of John’s preaching.
• and were baptized (καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο): This is the imperfect passive tense. It means that they were continually being baptized, not merely once. The passive voice emphasizes that the people were the recipients of the action of baptism. This portrays a persistent, active response from the populace to John's calling.

• "And John also was baptizing": This phrase emphasizes the enduring and widespread nature of John's ministry even as Jesus's public ministry was emerging. It sets up the thematic comparison and transition from John's preparatory role to Jesus's central role.
• "in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there": This specific geographical and practical detail highlights God's providence in providing the necessary resources for a large-scale ministry. The abundance of water signifies the suitability of the location for a ministry focused on symbolic cleansing through immersion.
• "and they came, and were baptized": This section points to the successful drawing of large crowds to John's call for repentance and the continued spiritual hunger among the people. It demonstrates their ongoing submission to John's ritual for purification and preparation for the coming Messiah.

John 3 23 Bonus section

The mention of "much water" is significant not just for practical purposes, but it may also symbolically contrast with arid spiritual landscapes, pointing to a place of spiritual refreshment and cleansing. While Aenon and Salim's exact location is debated among scholars, it is generally considered to be in the Jordan valley, possibly even across the Jordan in Decapolis, which would signify John's broad appeal to both Jewish and potentially Gentile populations residing there. John's baptism was preparatory for the Messiah, prompting repentance, but it did not bestow the Holy Spirit, which was reserved for Christian baptism in Jesus's name following Pentecost. This verse emphasizes the final days of John's active, widely-attended ministry before his imprisonment and death, leading into John's profound humility as he states, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

John 3 23 Commentary

John 3:23 is a factual and practical verse that grounds John the Baptist's continuing ministry in a specific historical context. It shows that even as Jesus began His public ministry, John remained faithful to his divine commission of preparing the way. The choice of Aenon near Salim, explicitly due to its "much water," reveals the practical requirements for John's baptism, which involved full immersion and served a large population. This physical necessity points to the spiritual reality of repentance: a profound and public commitment to turn from sin. The continuous "coming" and "being baptized" underscores the widespread hunger for spiritual renewal among the people. This verse thus functions as a crucial bridge, illustrating John's integrity in completing his mission until it naturally gave way to Jesus's superior ministry, a testament to God's precise timing and the deliberate overlap for a smooth transition of witness from the forerunner to the Messiah.