John 3:25-26 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 3:22-36

In these verses we have, I. Christ's removal into the land of Judea (John 3:22), and there he tarried with his disciples. Observe, 1. Our Lord Jesus, after he entered upon his public work, travelled much, and removed often, as the patriarchs in their sojournings. As it was a good part of his humiliation that he had no certain dwelling-place, but was, as Paul, in journeyings often, so it was an instance of his unwearied industry, in the work for which he came into the world, that he went about... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 3:22-30

3:22-30 After these things Jesus and his disciples went to the district of Judaea. He spent some time there with them, and he was baptizing; and John was baptizing at Ainon, near Salem, because there was much water there. The people kept coming to him and being baptized, for John had not yet been thrown into prison. A discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about the matter of cleansing. So they came to John and said to him: "Rabbi, look now! The man who was with you on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:26

And they came unto John ,.... The Persic version reads, "he came unto John"; that disciple that had the controversy with the Jew about purifying, who not knowing well how to answer him, and which might be the case of more, applied to John: and said unto him, Rabbi ; or "master"; or, "our master"; as the Syriac and Persic versions read, which was a title of great respect, and reverence, and much in use in those times; See Gill on Matthew 23:7 , Matthew 23:8 . The Arabic version joins... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:25

John's disciples and the Jews - Instead of Ιουδαιων , Jews, ABELS. M. BV, nearly 100 others, some versions and fathers, read Ιουδαιου , a Jew, which Griesbach has admitted into the text. The person here spoken of was probably one who had been baptized by the disciples of our Lord; and the subject of debate seems to have been, whether the baptism of John, or that of Christ, was the most efficacious towards purifying. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:26

And they came unto John - That he might decide the question. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:25

Verse 25 25.A question then arose. Not without a good reason does the Evangelist relate that a question arose from the disciples of John; for just in proportion as they were ill-informed about doctrine, they are so much the more eager to enter into debate, as ignorance is always bold and presumptuous. If others had attacked them, they might have been excused; but when they themselves, though unfit to maintain the contest, voluntarily provoke the Jews, it is a rash and foolish proceeding. Now... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 3:26

Verse 26 26.To whom thou gavest testimony. By this argument they endeavor either to make Christ inferior to John, or to show that John, by doing him honor, had laid him under obligations; for they reckon that John conferred a favor on Christ by adorning him with such honorable titles. As if it had not been the duty of John to make such a proclamation, or rather, as if it had not been John’s highest dignity to be the herald of the Son of God. Nothing could have been more unreasonable than to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.