Nothing so defiles Christianity and gives the enemies of truth such occasion to blaspheme, as jealousy and party-spirit among Christians. It is very insidious, very contagious, and very injurious to the cause of religion. The true Christian must watch and pray against the spirit here manifested by John's disciples. There is a generation which can see no good being done, except in the ranks of its own congregations and which seems ready to shut men out of heaven, if they will not enter therein under their banner. There are never lacking religions professors who care far more for the increase of their own party, than for the increase of true Christianity and who cannot rejoice in the spread of religion, if it spreads anywhere except within their own denomination. The succession of these complainers has never failed. J C Ryle Comments: The spirit exhibited in this complaint, is unhappily too common in the Churches of Christ. "Rabbi, He (Jesus) who was with you beyond the Jordan, to Whom you have testified (borne witness, given evidence of - see Merrill Tenney's discussion of meaning of " witness" in John The Witness of John), behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him." (John's disciples in essence place John in a position of competing with his Lord - How tragically common are similar problems in churches today!) 26 And they came to John and said to him, 25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purification (Jewish ceremonial washings - as Jews did before and after meals, but in context obviously referring to baptism). 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim (location uncertain but thought to be near Samaria - See Map of possible location), because there was much water there and people were coming and were being baptized (cp Mt 3:4, 5, 6, Mk 1:4,5 compare Acts 19:4 to understand what John the Baptist was doing - his baptism was not a ritual but a reflection of genuine repentance and belief in Jesus and reception of forgiveness of their sins, these spiritual transactions being "symbolized" by the act of water baptism - see in depth study of the verb baptizo = to baptize)-24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison. John the Baptist is speaking ( see image of John addressing the crowds) (some interpreters feel his words extend through John 3:36)…Īfter these things (Time phrase = marks sequence - This event follows Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus) Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing.
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