John 3:23 – “Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse gives us a glimpse into the ongoing ministry of John the Baptist while Jesus was also ministering. John was baptizing people in Aenon near Salim, a place known for its abundant water supply, making it a suitable location for baptisms.

John’s role was to prepare the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance and faith. His baptism symbolized a desire to turn from sin and commit to following God. Even though Jesus’ ministry was growing, John continued his mission, pointing people toward Christ.

The phrase “people were coming and being baptized” shows that there was still great interest in John’s message. People were drawn to his preaching, recognizing their need for spiritual renewal. However, as we will see in the next verses, some of John’s followers were concerned that Jesus’ ministry was growing while John’s influence was decreasing.

This verse highlights a key moment in the transition from John’s ministry to Jesus’ ministry. Soon, John will make his famous statement: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

Historical Context

During this time, baptism was a significant religious practice. John the Baptist was not inventing something new—ritual washing was common in Jewish culture, especially for those converting to Judaism. However, John’s baptism was unique because it called Jewish people to repentance as well, not just outsiders.

Aenon near Salim was a region with natural springs, making it an ideal place for full immersion baptism. This detail confirms that John was performing baptisms by immersion, not by sprinkling.

Meanwhile, Jesus’ disciples were also baptizing people (John 3:22, John 4:1-2). This created tension between John’s disciples and Jesus’ growing ministry. Some of John’s followers saw Jesus as competition, but John himself understood that his role was to point people to Christ, not to build his own following.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several important spiritual truths:

1. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward transformation.
   • John’s baptism did not save people, but it represented their commitment to repentance and faith.
2. Ministry is not about competition—it’s about pointing people to Jesus.
   • John did not see Jesus as a rival. He understood that his mission was temporary, and that Jesus must take center stage.
3. God calls different people to different roles.
   • John had a specific mission to prepare the way for Jesus, and he was faithful to that mission. Likewise, each of us has a unique role in God’s kingdom.
4. True humility in ministry means rejoicing when Jesus is glorified.
   • John the Baptist’s attitude reminds us that ministry is not about personal success but about leading others to Christ.
5. Baptism by immersion was the common practice.
   • The mention of “plenty of water” suggests that baptism was done by full immersion, which symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ.

This verse reminds us that true ministry is not about making a name for ourselves—it is about preparing people to follow Jesus.

Literary Analysis

John 3:23 serves as a transition verse between Jesus’ early ministry and the conclusion of John the Baptist’s role.

• The location (Aenon near Salim) emphasizes the practicality of John’s work—he was focused on meeting people where they were and calling them to repentance.
• The phrase “people were coming and being baptized” shows the ongoing spiritual hunger among the people, even as Jesus’ ministry was growing.

John’s Gospel often uses simple, factual statements to communicate deeper spiritual truths. Here, the emphasis is not just on where John was baptizing but on why—because people were still responding to the message of repentance.

This verse sets the stage for the next discussion, where John’s disciples begin to question why Jesus is gaining more followers than John. This leads to John’s powerful response: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 3:1-6 – John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes people in the Jordan River.
• Mark 1:4-5 – John’s baptism is described as a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
• John 1:29-30 – John declares that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
• John 3:30 – “He must become greater; I must become less.”
• Romans 6:3-4 – Baptism represents being buried with Christ and raised to new life.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges us to think about our own role in God’s kingdom.

• Are we making our lives about Jesus or about ourselves?
• Are we focused on personal success, or on leading others to Christ?
• Are we faithful in the role God has given us, even if it is behind the scenes?

This verse also reminds us of the importance of baptism. While baptism does not save us, it is an important step of obedience, symbolizing our commitment to Christ.

For those in ministry, John’s example is a model of humility. He did not seek recognition—he simply wanted to be faithful to his calling.

For all believers, this verse is a reminder that our mission is to lead people to Jesus, not to build a name for ourselves.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in the way He sends messengers to prepare people’s hearts.

John the Baptist’s entire mission was to point people to Jesus. This shows that God, in His love, does not leave people in darkness—He calls them to repentance and prepares their hearts for salvation.

God’s love is also seen in the call to baptism. Baptism is not a ritual—it is a symbol of new life, forgiveness, and belonging to God’s family.

This verse reminds us that God’s love is always at work, drawing people to Himself, calling them to repentance, and preparing them for transformation through Christ.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

John’s baptism was preparing people for the coming of Jesus. He was calling people to repent, but Jesus would be the one who actually brings salvation.

This verse also connects to Jesus because baptism would become a command for His followers (Matthew 28:19). Jesus Himself was baptized at the beginning of His ministry (Matthew 3:13-17), setting an example for His followers.

Ultimately, John’s baptism looked forward to the greater baptism that Jesus would bring—the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5).

John’s mission was temporary, but Jesus’ work of salvation is eternal.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does John’s example teach us about humility in ministry?
2. Why do you think John continued baptizing, even as Jesus’ ministry was growing?
3. How does this verse challenge us to focus on pointing others to Christ rather than seeking recognition?
4. What role does baptism play in the life of a believer today?
5. How can we be faithful in the role God has given us, even when we are not in the spotlight?

John 3:23 reminds us that our role in God’s kingdom is not about personal success—it is about pointing people to Jesus. Just as John faithfully prepared the way for Christ, we are called to lead others toward Him, trusting that He must increase, and we must decrease.