Devine Scripture

John 3:25

What does John 3:25 mean?

A plain-English look at John 3:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 3:25 means

This verse describes the catalyst for the upcoming discussion about Jesus's growing ministry. A debate arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew concerning the practice of "purifying," likely referring to the significance and efficacy of ritual washings or baptisms. This discussion naturally would lead to comparing John's baptism with Jesus's, reflecting the common Jewish concern for ceremonial purity and the proper way to achieve it.

John 3:25 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 · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then a question came up between John's disciples and a Jew about washing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

there arose then a question from the disciples of John with <FI>some<Fi> Jews about purifying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews, concerning purification.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There was therefore a reasoning of the disciples of John with a Jew about purification.

Context

Flowing from the mention of both Jesus and John baptizing, this verse explains the practical impetus for John's disciples to approach him. A "questioning . . . with a Jew about purifying" arose, highlighting the contrasting practices or perceived rivalries between the two ministries. This intellectual debate directly leads to John’s disciples bringing their concerns about Jesus to their master, prompting John’s humble yet powerful declaration of Christ’s supremacy.

v.24For John was not yet cast into prison.

v.25This passage

v.26And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 7:2

    and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands.

  • Mark 7:8

    Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.

  • Hebrews 9:23

    It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

  • Hebrews 6:2

    of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

  • Hebrews 9:10

    being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.

  • Hebrews 9:13

    For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh:

Sermon ideas from John 3:25

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 3:25 teaches us about new birth

  • What John 3:25 teaches us about the spirit

  • What John 3:25 teaches us about god's love for the world

  • What John 3:25 teaches us about faith and life

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