John 3:23

John 3:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

Now John was then giving baptism at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were given baptism.

Free Bible Version FBV

John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there and people kept coming to be baptized.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And Iohn also baptized in Enon besides Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and John was also baptizing in Aenon, nigh to Salem, because there were many waters there, and they were coming and were being baptized —

World English Bible WEB

John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized.

Translation for Translators T4T

John the Baptizer was also baptizing people. He was doing that at Aenon village near Salim town in Samaria district, because there were many springs in that area. Many people kept coming to John and were being baptized {he was baptizing them}.

Plain English Version PEV

At that time some people kept going to John too, and he baptised them. John was at a place called Aynon, near the place called Salim. There was a lot of water there.

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Berean Amplified Bible — John 3:23

BAB

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John 3:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ην δε και ιωαννης βαπτιζων εν αινων εγγυς του σαλημ οτι υδατα πολλα ην εκει και παρεγινοντο και εβαπτιζοντο

ην eimi G1510 to be Verb-IAI-3S

δε de G1161 then Conj

και kai G2532 and Conj

ιωαννης Iōannēs G2491 John Noun-NSM

βαπτιζων baptizō G907 to baptize Verb-PAP-NSM

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

αινων Ainōn G137 Aenon Noun-PRI

εγγυς engus G1451 near Adv

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSN

σαλημ Salēm G4532 Salem Noun-PRI

οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj

υδατα hudōr, hudatos G5204 water Noun-NPN

πολλα polus G4183 much Adj-NPN

ην eimi G1510 to be Verb-IAI-3S

εκει ekei G1563 there Adv

και kai G2532 and Conj

παρεγινοντο paraginomai G3854 to come Verb-IDI-3P

και kai G2532 and Conj

εβαπτιζοντο baptizō G907 to baptize Verb-IPI-3P

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Greek Word Reference — John 3:23

ην eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-IAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ιωαννης Iōannēs G2491 "John" Noun-NSM

John refers to several important figures in the Bible, including John the Baptist and John the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. John the Baptist is mentioned in Matthew 3:1 and John the Apostle in Matthew 4:21.

Definition: Ἰωάνης (Rec. ννης, which see; cf. Dalman, Gr., 142; Tdf., Pr., 79; WH, App., 159; Bl., §3, 10; 10, 2), -ου, dative, -ῃ (but in Mat.11:4. Luk.7:18, 22 Rev.1:1, ει), accusative, -ην, ὁ (Heb. יוֹחָנָן, LXX: Ἰωανάν, 2Ch.23:1, al.; -ννάν, Je 47 (40):8, al., Aq.), Hellenized form of Ἰωανάν, John ( I Est.8:38(41)*), viz., __1. John the Baptist: Mat.3:1, al. __2. John the Apostle, son of Zebedee: Mat.4:21, Mrk.1:19, Luk.5:10, Act.1:13, al. __3. The father of St. Peter: Jhn.1:43 21:15-17. __4. John surnamed Mark: Act.12:12, 25 13:5, 13 15:37. __5. The writer of the Apocalypse, traditionally identified with 2: Rev.1:1, 4 9. Ἰωάννης (D, Ἰωνάθας; see MM, Exp., XV; Bl., §10, 2), ὁ, John: Act.4:6 13:5, Tr., WH, Rev.22:8 (cf. Ἰωάνης).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 128 NT verses. KJV: John See also: Acts 1:5; Luke 9:19; Revelation 1:1.

βαπτιζων baptizō G907 "to baptize" Verb-PAP-NSM

To baptize or immerse someone in water, like John the Baptist did in the New Testament. It means to fully wet or submerge someone, as seen in Mark 10:38 and Luke 12:50.

Definition: βαπτίζω (βάπτω), [in LXX: 4Ki.5:14 (טבל), Isa.21:4, Jdth.12:7, Sir.31 (34)30 * ;] to dip, immerse, sink; __1. generally (in Polyb., iii, 72, of soldiers wading breast-deep; in i, 51, of the sinking of ships); metaphorically, to overwhelm (Is, l.with; cf. MM, Exp., x); with cogn. accusative, βάπτισμα β., Mrk.10:38, 39 Luk.12:50. Mid., __2. to perform ablutions, wash oneself, bathe (Ki, Jth, Si, ll. with): Mrk.7:4; aor. pass, in same sense, Luk.11:38. __3 Of ablution, immersion, as a religious rite, to baptize; __(a) (a) absol.; Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:25, 26 28 3:22, 23, 26 4:2 10:40, 1Co.1:17; ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ βαπτιστής, M, Pr., 127), Mrk.6:14, 24; with accusative, Jhn.4:1, Act.8:38, I Co.1.14, 16; with cogn. accusative, τὸ βάπτισμα, Act.19:4 (cf. Mrk.10:38, supr.); pass., to be baptized, receive baptism: Mat.3:13, 14, 16, Mrk.16:16, Luk.3:7, 12 21 7:29 (τ. βάπτισμα) ib. 30, Act.2:41 8:12, 13 36 9:18 10:47 16:15, 33 18:8; mid., 22:16 (M, Pr., 163); __(b) with prepositions: ἐν, of the element, Mat.3:6, 11 Mrk.1:4, 5 8, Luk.3:16, Jhn.1:26, 31 33 3:23, Act.1:5 2:38 10:48 11:16, 1Co.10:2; εἰς, of the element, purpose or result (Lft., Notes, 155), Mat.3:1 28:19, Mrk.1:9, Act.8:16 19:3, 5 Rom.6:3, 1Co.1:13, 15 10:2 12:13, Gal.3:27; with dative, ὕδατι, Luk.3:16, Act.1:5 11:16; ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν, perh. to fulfil the wish of a dead friend, 1Co.15:29 (see ICC, in l.; cf. DB, i, 238ff.; DCG, i, 169a; ii, 605b; Cremer, 126). † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 65 NT verses. KJV: Baptist, baptize, wash See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; John 1:33; Romans 6:3.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

αινων Ainōn G137 "Aenon" Noun-PRI

Aenon is a place in Palestine where Jesus baptized people, as mentioned in John 3:23. It is near the Jordan River and is known for its springs.

Definition: Αἰνών, ἡ, indecl. (cf. Heb.עַיִן, a spring), Aenon: Jhn.3:23.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: Ænon See also: John 3:23.

εγγυς engus G1451 "near" Adv

Near or close to something, whether it's a place or a time, as in Jesus being near to those who need Him

Definition: ἐγγύς, adv., [in LXX chiefly for קָרוֹב ;] near; __1. of place: Jhn.19:20, 42; as prep. with genitive (M, Pr., 99), Luk.19:11, Jhn.3:23 6:19, 23 11:18, 54, Act.1:12; with dative, Act.9:38 27:8; superl., ἔγγιστα, Mrk.6:36, WH, mg.; metaphorically, ֹοἱ ἐ., opposite to οἱ μακράν, Eph.2:17; ἐ. γίνεσθαι, Eph.2:13; ἐ. σου τὸ ῥῆμα, Rom.10:8 (LXX). __2. Of time: Mat.24:32 26:18, Mrk.13:28, 29 Luk.21:30, 31 Jhn.2:13 6:4 7:2 11:55, Rev.1:3 22:10; ὁ κύριος ἐ., Php.4:5; before ἐπὶ θύραις, Mat.24:33; compar., ἐγγύτερον (neut. of adj. -ος, used adverbially), Rom.13:11 (cf. R, txt.); as prep. with genitive, ἐ. κατάρας, Heb.6:8; ἀφανισμοῦ, Heb.8:13 (cf. Cremer, 223).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 30 NT verses. KJV: from , at hand, near, nigh (at hand, unto), ready See also: Acts 1:12; John 11:55; Hebrews 6:8.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σαλημ Salēm G4532 "Salem" Noun-PRI

Salem refers to a place in Palestine, mentioned in Hebrews 7:1-2, which is also known as Jerusalem. It was the city where Melchizedek, a priest and king, lived. Salem is the Hebrew word for peace.

Definition: Σαλήμ, ἡ (Heb. שָׁלֵם Gen.14:18), Salem: Heb.7:1-2 (LXX).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: Salem See also: Hebrews 7:1; Hebrews 7:2; John 3:23.

οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj

This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.

Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.

υδατα hudōr, hudatos G5204 "water" Noun-NPN

Water refers to literal or figurative water, as seen in Matthew 3:16 and John 4:7. It can also be used in a spiritual sense, such as in baptism or as a symbol of life.

Definition: ὕδωρ genitive, ὕδατος, τό, [in LXX chiefly for מַיִם ;] water: Mat.3:16, Mrk.1:10, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:7, Jas.3:12, Rev.8:10, al.; pl., Mat.14:28-29, Jhn.3:23, Rev.1:15, al.; βαπτίζειν (ἐν) ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Jhn.1:26, al.; τ. λυυτρὸν τοῦ ὕ., Eph.5:26; opposite to οἴνος, Jhn.2:9 4:46; αἷμα, Jhn.19:34, Heb.9:19, 1Jn.5:6 Jn 5:8 Mat.17:15 Mrk.9:22; πνεῦμα, Jhn.1:26, 31 1:33; πνεῦμα καὶ πῦρ, Mat.3:11, Luk.3:16;ἐξ ὕ. κ. πνεύματος γεννηθῆναι, Jhn.3:5; metaphorically, of divine truth and grace (τ.) ὕ. (τ.) ζῶν, Jhn.4:10-11 (cf. Jhn.4:13-15); τ. ὕ. τ. ζωῆς, of spiritual refreshment, Rev.21:6 22:1, 17 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 70 NT verses. KJV: water See also: 1 John 5:6; Luke 3:16; 1 Peter 3:20.

πολλα polus G4183 "much" Adj-NPN

This word means much or many, and is used to describe things like large crowds, as in Mark 5:24, or a great amount of time, as in Matthew 25:19. It emphasizes the magnitude of something.

Definition: πολύς, πολλή, πολύ, [in LXX chiefly for רַב and cognate forms ;] __1. as adj., much, many, great, of number, space, degree, value, time, etc.: ἀριθμός, Act.11:21; ὄχλος, Mrk.5:24; θερισμός, Mat.9:37; χόρτος, Jhn.6:10; χρόνος, Mat.25:19; γογγυσμός, Jhn.7:12; πόνος, Col.4:13; δόξα, Mat.24:30; σιγή, Act.21:40; pl., προφῆται, Mat.13:17; ὄχλοι, Mat.4:25; δαιμόνια, Mrk.1:34; δυνάμεις, Mat.7:22, __2. As subst., pl. masc, πολλοί, many (persons): Mat.7:22, Mrk.2:2, al.; with genitive partit., Mat.3:7, Luk.1:16, al.; before ἐκ, Jhn.7:31, Act.17:12; with art., οἱ π., the many, Mat.24:12, Rom.12:5, 1Co.10:17, 33 2Co.2:17; opposite to ὁ εἶς (Lft., Notes, 291), Rom.5:15, 19; neut. pl., πολλά: Mat.13:3, Mrk.5:26, al.; accusative with adverbial force, Mrk.1:45, Rom.16:6 (Deiss., LAE, 317), 1Co.16:12, Jas.3:2, al.; neut. sing., πολύ: Luk.12:48; adverbially, Mrk.12:27, al.; πολλοῦ (genitive pret.), Mat.26:9; with compar. (Bl., §44, 5), π. σπουδαιότερον, 2Co.8:22; πολλῷ πλείους, Jhn.4:41. Compar., πλείων, neut., πλεῖον and πλέον (see WH, App., 151), pl., πλείονες, -ας, -α, contr., πλείους, -ω (cf. Mayser, 69), more, greater; __1. as adj.: Jhn.15:2, Act.18:2o, Heb.3:3; before παρά, Heb.11:4 (cf. Westc, in l. Was ΠΛΙΟΝΑ here a primitive error for ΗΔΙΟΝΑ ?); pi., Act.13:31, al.; with genitive compar., Mat.21:36; with num. (ἤ of comp. omitted), Act.4:22 24:11, al. __2. As subst., οἱ π., the greater number: Act.10:32 27:12, 1Co.10:5 15:6; also (Bl., §44, 3) others, more, the more: 2Co.2:6 4:15, Php.1:14; πλείονα, Luk.11:53; πλειον, πλέον, Mat.20:10, 2Ti.3:9; with genitive comp., Mk 12:43, Luk.21:3; π. Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε, Mat.12:41; adverbially, Act.4:17 20:9 24:4. __3. As adv., πλεῖον: before ἤ, Luk.9:13; with genitive comp., Mat.5:20; πλείω: with num., Mat.26:53. Superl., πλεῖστος, -η, -ον, __(a) prop., most: Mat.11:20 21:8; adverbially, τὸ π., 1Co.14:27; __(b) elative (M, Pr., 79), very great: ὄχλος π., Mrk.4:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 386 NT verses. KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Acts 23:21; 1 Peter 1:3.

ην eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-IAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

εκει ekei G1563 "there" Adv

This word means 'there' or 'to that place', as in Matthew 2:13. It's used to point to a location or direction. In the Bible, it helps describe where events happen.

Definition: ἐκεῖ adv., [in LXX chiefly for שָׁם ;] __1. properly, of place, there: Mat.2:13 5:24, al.; οἱ ἐ., Mat.26:71; οὗ . . . ἐ., Mat.6:21 18:20 24:28, Mrk.6:10, Luk.12:34; pleonastic, ὅπου . . . ἐ. (= שָׁם אֲשֶׁר, Deu.4:5, al.), Rev.12:6, 14 (cf. Bl., § 50, 4). __2. As often in cl. (Hdt., Thuc., al.), with verbs of motion, for ἐκεῖσε, thither: Mat.2:22 17:20 24:28 26:36, Mrk.6:33, Luk.12:18 17:37 21:2, Jhn.11:8 18:2-3, Rom.15:24 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 102 NT verses. KJV: there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place) See also: 2 Corinthians 3:17; Mark 1:38; Hebrews 7:8.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

παρεγινοντο paraginomai G3854 "to come" Verb-IDI-3P

To come or arrive at a place, such as in Luke 14:21 and John 3:23. This word means to become near or appear publicly. It is used to describe people coming to Jesus or arriving at a location.

Definition: παρα-γίνομαι (Ion. and late for -γίγν-), [in LXX chiefly for בּוֹא ;] __1. to be beside or at hand (Hom., Hdt., al.), hence, to stand by, support (Æsch., Thuc., al.) : with dative of person(s), 2Ti.4:16. __2. to come, come up, arrive (Hdt., Xen., al., and frequently in later writers; see MM, xviii; Thackeray, Gr., 267.2): absol., Luk.14:21 19:16, Jhn.3:23, Act.5:21-22, 25 9:39 10:32-33 11:23 14:27 17:10 18:27 21:18 23:16, 35 24:17, 24 25:7 28:21, 1Co.16:3; before εἰς, Jhn.8:2, Act.9:26 15:4; ἐπί, with accusative, Luk.22:52; πρός, with accusative, Luk.7:4, 20 8:19, Act.20:18; id. before ἐκ, Luk.11:6; παρά, with genitive, Mrk.14:43; ἀπὸ . . . εἰς, Mat.2:1, Act.13:14; ἀπὸ . . . ἐπὶ . . . πρός, Mat.3:13; of a teacher coming forward in public: Mat.3:1, Luk.12:51, Heb.9:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 37 NT verses. KJV: come, go, be present See also: 1 Corinthians 16:3; Acts 24:17; Hebrews 9:11.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

εβαπτιζοντο baptizō G907 "to baptize" Verb-IPI-3P

To baptize or immerse someone in water, like John the Baptist did in the New Testament. It means to fully wet or submerge someone, as seen in Mark 10:38 and Luke 12:50.

Usage: Occurs in 65 NT verses. KJV: Baptist, baptize, wash See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; John 1:33; Romans 6:3.

Study Notes — John 3:23

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Context
Cross References
John 3:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on John 3:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 3:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 3:23
Trapp's Commentary on John 3:23
Ellicott's Commentary on John 3:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 3:23
Cambridge Bible on John 3:23
Barnes' Notes on John 3:23
Whedon's Commentary on John 3:23
Sermons on John 3:23

Context — John’s Testimony about Jesus

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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Mark 1:4–5	John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
2	Ezekiel 43:2	and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.
3	Matthew 3:5–6	People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
4	Luke 3:7	Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
5	Genesis 33:18	After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city.
6	Ezekiel 19:10	Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters.
7	1 Samuel 9:4	So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.
8	Jeremiah 51:13	You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.
9	Revelation 19:6	And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
10	Revelation 1:15	His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

John 3:23 Summary

John 3:23 tells us that John was baptizing people at Aenon near Salim because there was plenty of water there, and many people were coming to be baptized. This shows that John was faithful to his mission to prepare people for Jesus, as seen in John 1:23 and Isaiah 40:3. Just like the people who came to John for baptism, we need to repent and turn to God, as mentioned in Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16, and then we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 7:37-39 and Acts 2:39. By following John's example, we can learn to be faithful in our own walk with God and share the gospel with others, as encouraged in Matthew 28:19-20 and 2 Timothy 4:2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was John baptizing at Aenon near Salim?

John was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because the water was plentiful there, which was necessary for the baptism ritual, as seen in John 3:23, and this location allowed many people to come and be baptized, similar to the crowds that gathered at the Jordan River in Matthew 3:6.

Was John's baptism the same as Jesus' baptism?

While both John and Jesus were baptizing, John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, as mentioned in Luke 3:3, whereas Jesus' baptism was a baptism of the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16, which was a fulfillment of John's prophecy in John 1:33.

Why did people keep coming to be baptized by John?

People kept coming to be baptized by John because they were seeking repentance and forgiveness of their sins, as mentioned in Matthew 3:6, and John's message of repentance and the coming Messiah resonated with them, as seen in John 1:23 and Isaiah 40:3.

How does this verse relate to the rest of John 3?

This verse serves as a transition from Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21 to the comparison between John's baptism and Jesus' ministry in John 3:22-36, highlighting the distinct roles of John and Jesus in God's plan of salvation, as mentioned in John 1:6-8 and John 3:28-30.

Reflection Questions

What can I learn from John's obedience to baptize in a location with plentiful water, and how can I apply that to my own life and ministry?
How does the fact that people kept coming to be baptized by John demonstrate the effectiveness of his ministry, and what can I learn from his example about sharing the gospel with others?
In what ways can I, like John, prepare the way for others to encounter Jesus, and what role does baptism play in that process, as seen in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12?
What does this verse reveal about John's character and his commitment to his mission, and how can I cultivate those same qualities in my own life and walk with God, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Ephesians 5:1-2?

Gill's Exposition on John 3:23

And John also was baptizing in Aenon,.... The Syriac and Persic versions call it "Ain", or "In you", the fountain of the dove; and the Arabic version reads it, the fountain of "Nun": and whether it

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 3:23

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 3:23

Aenon is here said to be near Salim: it was the name of a city, as some think; others say, a river or brook near that city: neither the river nor the city are elsewhere mentioned in Scripture; but topographers place it on the eastern part of the lot of Manasseh, not far from Bethshan or Scythopolis. There John was baptizing; because this Aenon was a brook or river that had much water, which in Judea was rare. There is no water more holy than the other. John baptized in Jordan, and in Bethabara, and in Aenon. The ordinance sanctified the water, but did not require consecrated water for the due administration of it. It is from this apparent that both Christ and John baptized by dipping the body in the water, else they need not have sought places where had been a great plenty of water; yet it is probable that they did not constantly dip, from what we read of the apostles baptizing in houses, ,18 10:47,48. The people came to John and were baptized, that is, great numbers of them did so.

Trapp's Commentary on John 3:23

23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. Ver. 23. And John also was baptizing] Here ministers may learn not to be wanting to their duties, though God stir up others about them of greater parts and better success to obscure them. Verbi minister es, hoc age, was Mr Perkins’ motto. Summum culmen affectantes, satis honeste vel in secundo fastigio conspiciemur, saith Columella. And, prima sequentem, honestum est in secundis, tertiisve consistere, saith Cicero. Every man cannot excel, nor is it expected.

Ellicott's Commentary on John 3:23

(23) Ænon near to Salim.—The latter place was clearly well known at the time, and regarded as fixing the locality of the former. It has been usual to follow Jerome and Eusebius, who fix the place in the valley of the Jordan, eight miles south from Bethshan, or Scythopolis. (See quotation from the Onomasticon, in Caspari, Chron. and Geogr. Introd., Eng. Trans., p. 122.) The objection to this is, that the text seems to limit us to Judæa (comp. John 4:3-4), whereas this Salim is more than thirty miles from it. The word Ænon means “springs,” and probably belonged to more than one place where “there was much water.” The mention of this is opposed to the locality of the Jordan valley, where it would not be necessary to choose a place for this reason. Dr. Barclay (City of the Great Xing, 1858, pp. 558-570) found both names in a place answering the description, and certainly answering the narrative better than other identifications, at Wady Farah, about five miles from Jerusalem. They came—i.e., the people.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 3:23

Verse 23. In AEnon] This place was eight miles southward from Scythopolis, between Salim and Jordan. There was much water] And this was equally necessary, where such multitudes were baptized, whether the ceremony were performed either by dipping or sprinkling. But as the Jewish custom required the persons to stand in the water, and, having been instructed, and entered into a covenant to renounce all idolatry, and take the God of Israel for their God, then plunge themselves under the water, it is probable that the rite was thus performed at AEnon. The consideration that they dipped themselves, tends to remove the difficulty expressed in Clarke's note on "Matthew 3:6". See the observations at the end of Mark.

Cambridge Bible on John 3:23

23. John also was baptizing] Not as a rival to the Messiah, but still in preparation for Him. Although John knew that the Messiah had come, yet He had not yet taken the public position which John had expected Him to take, and hence John was by no means led to suppose that his own office in preaching repentance was at an end. There is no improbability in Jesus and John baptizing side by side. But with this difference; Jesus seldom, if ever, administered His own baptism; John apparently always did administer his.Aenon] The name means ‘springs.’ The identifications of both Aenon and Salim remain uncertain. The most probable conjecture is the Wâdy Fâr’ah, running from Mount Ebal to Jordan, an open vale, full of springs. There is a Salim three miles south of the valley, and the name of Aenon survives in ’Ainûn, a village four miles north of the waters.much water] For immersion; the Greek means literally many waters. The remark shews that these places were not on the Jordan. It would be gratuitous to say of the Jordan that ‘there was much water there.’

Barnes' Notes on John 3:23

In Enon - The word “Enon,” or “Aenon,” means “a fountain,” and was doubtless given to this place because of the fountains there. On the situation of the place nothing certain has been determined.

Whedon's Commentary on John 3:23

23. John also was baptizing—The two great masters, the stern and sorrowful John, and the serene and winning Jesus, are neighbouring baptizers, but silent apparently (as in nearly all their previous lives) towards each other.

Sermons on John 3:23

	Sermon	Description
	(Through the Bible) 1 John 5 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing in the witness of God. He compares it to our legal system, which relies on the testimony of witnesses. The preac
	The Form of Baptism by John R. Rice	John R. Rice emphasizes the importance of understanding the form of baptism as clearly outlined in the Bible. He highlights that true baptism requires water, much water, going down
	(John - Part 7): John the Baptist's Message by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the advancements in technology and how they have led people to believe that the world is getting better. The speaker questions whether these
	(Through the Bible) Mark 1 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the natural inclination to share the work of God in one's life. Witnessing becomes a natural response when God has done a marvelous work in so
	How to Receive a Clean Heart by Ernest O'Neill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the experience of a Christian who comes under deep conviction of sin and begins to fear God. The preacher emphasizes that this is often the g
	The Horizon of Christ - Part 4 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker explores the concept of Christ being the ultimate purpose and representative of God's creation. The sermon begins by discussing how God chose Abraham to
	The Spirit of a Prophet Leonard Ravenhill by Leonard Ravenhill	This sermon emphasizes the unique and lonely calling of prophets, highlighting the solitude and dedication required in their role. It reflects on the significance of John the Bapti