John 3:25

25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.

John 3:25 in Other Translations

25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.

25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.

25 John's disciples got into an argument with the establishment Jews over the nature of baptism.

25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purifying.

25 Some of John's disciples had an argument with a Jew about purification ceremonies.

25 Then a dispute arose between John's disciples and a Jew about purification.

25 Some of John's disciples and a certain Jew began to argue. They argued about special washings to make people "clean."

John 3:25 Meaning and Commentary

John 3:25

Then there arose a question
A dispute, or controversy, occasioned by the baptism, of John and Christ: between [some] of John's disciples, and the Jews.
The Syriac and Persic versions read, "between one of John's disciples, and a certain Jew"; and Nonnus renders it, "with an Hebrew man"; and so the Alexandrian manuscript; many others read, "with a Jew": the contention between them was about purifying;
either about the ceremonial purifications, and ablutions commanded in the law of Moses; or concerning the various washings of persons, and vessels, according to the traditions of the elders, which the Jews in common were very tenacious of; and which they thought were brought into neglect, and contempt, by the baptism of John: and this seems to have been occasioned by the baptism of Christ; which the Jew might improve against the disciple of John, and urge, that since another, besides his master, had set up baptizing, who could tell which was most right and safest to follow? and therefore it would have been much better, if no such rite at all had been used by any, but that the purifications required by the law of Moses, and by their elders, had been strictly and solely attended to.

John 3:25 In-Context

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

24 (This was before John was put in prison.)

25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.

26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.

Cross References

• 1. John 2:6