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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:27

John answered and said ,.... The Syriac and Arabic versions add, "to them"; the answer being made to the disciples of John, who came to him with their complaint: a man can receive nothing ; the Syriac and Persic versions add, "of his own will": some understand this of Christ, as man, who did not take upon him the character of the Messiah, nor the office of a Mediator, nor the honour of it of himself; and who received the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, without measure, and had his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:28

Ye yourselves bear me witness ,.... In what they now said, and referred to, in describing Christ, as he to whom John bore witness; and he appeals to them for what he said in their presence, and before all the people in that testimony: that I said I am not the Christ ; see John 1:19 ; wherefore, if he, who is the Christ, is now come, and teaches, and baptizes, and has the greatest number of followers, it is not to be wondered at; and much less to be envied; but rather to be rejoiced at.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:29

He that hath the bride ,.... By whom particular persons seem here to be meant, who were called, converted, and brought to Christ, and were made his disciples, and baptized, and so were openly espoused unto him; though sometimes it designs a particular church of Christ, and even the whole general assembly, and church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven; all the elect of. God, whether among Jews, or Gentiles; see 2 Corinthians 11:2 . These Christ has in a conjugal relation;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 3:30

He must increase ,.... Not in stature of body, or in wisdom and understanding of mind, as man, he being come to maturity in these things already; but in fame, credit, and reputation among men; as he afterwards did in the land of Judea, by reason of his miracles and doctrines; and after that among the Gentiles, through the publication of his Gospel; and will more and more in the latter day, when he, and he alone, shall be exalted: and he must increase in the ministry of his word, which was... 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

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