Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.
Parallel translations
- WEB John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.
- KJV And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
- NKJV Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
- NASB Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and being baptized—
- NLT At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized. His ministry was still active and drawing crowds.
Overview
The geographic detail grounds the account in real places and explains the practical reason for the location. John's continued baptizing sets the stage for a comparison between his ministry and Jesus'. It also marks a moment of transition as the Baptist's role moves toward its appointed decrease.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Mark 1:4–5John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
- Ezek 43:2and 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.
- 1 Sam 9:4So 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.
- Luke 3:7Then 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?
- Matt 3:5–6People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
- Ezek 19:10Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters.
- Gen 33:18After 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.
- Jer 51:13You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.
- Rev 1:15His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.
- Rev 19:6And 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.
- Rev 14:2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and the loud rumbling of thunder. And the sound I heard was like harpists strumming their harps.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 3:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.