John 3:23

John 3:23, in plain English

John the Baptist was also still baptizing, at a place called Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People kept coming to him to be baptized.

Why it's here

John the Baptist didn't stop just because Jesus started. He kept faithfully doing what God called him to do, right up until the moment his role was complete.

Who's speaking

John the Gospel writer notes that the Baptist's ministry continued alongside Jesus'.

Where it sits in the story

Two ministries running side by side — Jesus and John the Baptist. It wasn't a competition. John kept doing his job faithfully until it was time to step aside.

The scholarly reading

John the Baptist was simultaneously baptizing at Aenon near Salim, chosen for its abundant water supply, and people continued coming to him for baptism.

Language and setting

Aenon ('springs') near Salim was selected for practical reasons — plentiful water. The note that 'people kept coming' shows the Baptist's ministry continued alongside Jesus', setting up the loyalty question in verse 26.

Voice

The narrator notes that John the Baptist continued his ministry at Aenon near Salim.

Significance

The geographical detail and continued activity of the Baptist creates the narrative condition for the disciples' concern about competition between Jesus' and John's baptismal ministries.

21But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

22After this, Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them and baptized.

23Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.

24(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)

25Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing.

Read all of John 3 — A religious leader comes at night with questions he can't ask in daylight. The conversation contains the most quoted verse in history.