John 3:25

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

John 3:25 Meaning and Commentary

John 3:25

Then there arose a question
A dispute, or controversy, occasioned by the baptism, of John and Christ: between [some] of John's disciples, and the Jews.
The Syriac and Persic versions read, "between one of John's disciples, and a certain Jew"; and Nonnus renders it, "with an Hebrew man"; and so the Alexandrian manuscript; many others read, "with a Jew": the contention between them was about purifying;
either about the ceremonial purifications, and ablutions commanded in the law of Moses; or concerning the various washings of persons, and vessels, according to the traditions of the elders, which the Jews in common were very tenacious of; and which they thought were brought into neglect, and contempt, by the baptism of John: and this seems to have been occasioned by the baptism of Christ; which the Jew might improve against the disciple of John, and urge, that since another, besides his master, had set up baptizing, who could tell which was most right and safest to follow? and therefore it would have been much better, if no such rite at all had been used by any, but that the purifications required by the law of Moses, and by their elders, had been strictly and solely attended to.

John 3:25 In-Context

23 And John also was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

24 For John was not yet cast into prison.

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

26 And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou didst bear testimony, behold, the same baptizeth, and all [men] come to him.

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.