John 3:23

"After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized."

Key Reflection

In John 3:23, after various events not detailed in this passage, Jesus travels to Judea with his disciples. The mention of baptism here is significant as it underscores the practice of ritual cleansing that was common among Jews at the time. Unlike the baptisms typically performed by John the Baptist in the Jordan River for repentance and forgiveness, Jesus' act of baptizing likely involved a symbolic washing in water within religious sites or structures. This action emphasizes the shift from John's public baptism to Jesus performing a more private, yet no less spiritually transformative, ritual among his followers.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 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. Eusebius places it 8 Roman miles south of Scythopolis or Bethshen, and 53 north-east of Jerusalem. Near to Salim. It would seem from this that Salim was better known then than Enon, but nothing can be determined now respecting its site. These places are believed to have been on the west side of the Jordan. Because there was much water there. John's preaching attracted great multitudes. It appears that they remained with him probably many days.

Related Verses

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