John 3:22
What does John 3:22 mean?
A plain-English look at John 3:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 3:22 means
After the profound dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus and His disciples move into the Judean countryside. Here, it is noted that Jesus was spending time with them and baptizing. This indicates a continuation of a public ministry that included water baptism, similar to John the Baptist's practice, perhaps as a preparation for repentance and a symbolic cleansing, though not yet the Spirit baptism that would follow Pentecost.
John 3:22 in context
John 3 — You Must Be Born Again
By night a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus, half-confessing him as a teacher sent from God. Jesus cuts past the compliment: 'except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Religion will not do; reformation will not do; only a new birth by water and the Spirit. The chapter rises to the most-quoted verse in the Bible — 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' — and ends with John the Baptist's last public testimony: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
- New birth
- The Spirit
- God's love for the world
- Faith and life
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
KJV
King James Version · 1611After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After these things Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judaea, and there he was with them for some time, giving baptism.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862After these things came Jesus and his disciples to the land of Judea, and there he did tarry with them, and was baptizing;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After these things, Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea: and there he abode with them and baptized.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he abode with them and baptised.
Context
The narrative shifts from the private dialogue with Nicodemus to Jesus's broader public ministry in Judea. This verse marks a transition in setting and activity, showing Jesus and His disciples engaging in baptism. This activity parallels John the Baptist's ongoing ministry, setting the stage for the coming discussion among John's disciples that will highlight the growing prominence of Jesus's ministry over John’s.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 7:3
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest.
- John 4:1
When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
- John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Sermon ideas from John 3:22
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 3:22 teaches us about new birth
What John 3:22 teaches us about the spirit
What John 3:22 teaches us about god's love for the world
What John 3:22 teaches us about faith and life
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