John Chapter 3, Verse 25
From BibleWiki
25: Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples
and the Jews about purifying.
25: And there arose a question between some of John's disciples and
the Jews, concerning purification.
A question. Rather a controversy -- a dispute.
John's disciples. Those who had been baptized by him, and who attached great efficacy and importance to the teaching of their master. Comp. See Barnes "Acts 19:1, also Acts 19:2ff.
And the Jews. Many manuscripts, some of the fathers, and the ancient Syriac version, read this in the singular number -- "with a Jew," one who, it is commonly supposed, had been baptized by the disciples of Jesus.
About purifying. What the precise subject of this dispute was we do not know. From what follows, it would seem probable that it was about the comparative value and efficacy of the baptism performed by John and by the disciples of Jesus. The word purifying may be applied to baptism, as it was an emblem of repentance and purity, and was thus used by the Jews, by John, and by Jesus. About this subject it seems that a dispute arose, and was carried to such a length that complaint was made to John.
