Thoughts on the Gospel of John (33) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea, and there he remained with them and baptised. Now John was also baptising in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptised. Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was beyond the Jordan, to whom, you have testified - behold, he is baptising and all are coming to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
John 3: 22 - 27.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (33)
Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus presumably took place in Jerusalem. Jesus had stayed there for the Passover feast. Now we find Jesus with His disciples by the Jordan in Judea. From we can assume that Jesus Himself did not baptise, but his disciples under His authority. As with John the Baptist, this baptism had the living Messiah and His kingdom in view. Christian baptism, on the other hand, points to Christ in His death.

The fact that Jesus (through His disciples) and John were baptising simultaneously caused a dispute. The scribes had their doubts: they did not acknowledge John's baptism unreservedly: it was not mentioned in the Old Testament and had no place in Jewish traditions. Being something completely new, it was a topic of discussion.

John's disciples were apparently jealous, because Jesus was more popular than their rabbi. John himself, however, remained submissive. If his appearance now faded like the morning star in the brilliant sunlight, the purpose of his ministry in pointing to Christ was fulfilled.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today‘s reading: Deuteronomy 3: 1 - 17 · Matthew 21: 1 - 11