And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Parallel translations
- WEB John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.
- BSB Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be 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 did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
- Ezek 43:2And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
- 1 Sam 9:4And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
- Luke 3:7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
- Matt 3:5–6Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
- Ezek 19:10Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
- Gen 33:18And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.
- Jer 51:13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
- Rev 1:15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
- Rev 19:6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
- Rev 14:2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
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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
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