John 3:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then there arose a question between [some] of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A discussion arose between some of Yochanan’s talmidim and a Judean about ceremonial washing;

Berean Standard Bible:

Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing.

American Standard Version:

There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G3767} there arose^{G1096} a question^{G2214} between^{G3326} some of^{G1537} John's^{G2491} disciples^{G3101} and the Jews^{G2453} about^{G4012} purifying^{G2512}.

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Commentary for John 3:25

John 3:25 is set within the broader context of the Gospel of John, which is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament. This verse captures a moment of transition in the narrative from the ministry of John the Baptist to the emerging ministry of Jesus. The historical context is first-century Palestine, during a period of heightened messianic expectation among the Jewish people, who were living under Roman occupation and longing for religious and political renewal.

In the verse, "Then there arose a question between [some] of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying," the theme revolves around religious ritual and purity, which were central concerns in Jewish life and worship. Purification rituals were prescribed by the Mosaic Law and were integral to the Jewish understanding of holiness and readiness to approach God.

The "question" or "dispute" mentioned here likely pertains to the methods or the necessity of these purification rites. John the Baptist had been conducting baptisms—a form of ritual cleansing—in the Jordan River, which was an innovation at the time and may have sparked debate about its legitimacy compared to traditional purification methods. This dispute reflects the broader tensions and debates among various Jewish groups about religious authority, interpretation of the Law, and the proper way to live out one's faith.

The verse hints at the dynamic and sometimes contentious religious landscape of the time, where new movements, like the one initiated by John the Baptist and later Jesus, were challenging established practices and beliefs. It sets the stage for the subsequent conversation in John 3:27-30, where John the Baptist humbly acknowledges his role as the forerunner to Jesus, emphasizing that Jesus is the one whom the people should follow, and whose baptism—both water and spirit—surpasses his own. This acknowledgment underscores the themes of humility, testimony, and the shift from the old to the new covenant that is central to the Gospel's message.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2214
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ζήτησις
   Transliteration: zḗtēsis
   Pronunciation: dzay'-tay-sis
   Description: from ζητέω; a searching (properly, the act), i.e. a dispute or its theme:--question.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3326
   There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μετά
   Transliteration: metá
   Pronunciation: met-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2491
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰωάννης
   Transliteration: Iōánnēs
   Pronunciation: ee-o-an'-nace
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3101
   There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μαθητής
   Transliteration: mathētḗs
   Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
   Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2453
   There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
   Transliteration: Ioudaîos
   Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
   Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2512
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καθαρισμός
    Transliteration: katharismós
    Pronunciation: kath-ar-is-mos'
    Description: from καθαρίζω; a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation:--cleansing, + purge, purification(-fying).