John 3:23
ESV
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized
NIV
Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
NASB
Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and being baptized—
CSB
John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized,
NLT
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.
KJV
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
NKJV
Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
What does John 3:23 mean?
This gospel was written by John, a disciple of Jesus, but the person mentioned here is someone else: John the Baptist (John 1:6–7; Matthew 3:1–3).For a while, both Jesus and John the Baptist preached in the wider region around Jerusalem. This helps explain why the local religious leaders were concerned. These two men were not like the random, tiny groups of heretics Jerusalem typically saw. As a result, people responded to the message. Jesus and John were a legitimate spiritual threat to Jerusalem's established religious order. In fact, there must have been an extremely strong response. This verse says that John chose his location "because there was plenty of water." If so many people are being baptized that it's necessary to find a place with "plenty of water," the message is having an impact.
Like many ancient places, we don't know exactly where Aenon near Salim was located. One strong possibility is somewhere between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. The Greek word ainōn literally means "springs," so there was probably a natural fountain or other water source there.
John 3:22–30 describes an argument between followers of John the Baptist and a Jewish religious leader over purification. Though the passage does not name him, it's possible this man was Nicodemus; he had, who had just been discussing that topic with Jesus. The Baptist isn't upset that his followers are dwindling while Jesus attracts crowds. Instead, he makes it clear that Christ's glory was his mission, and seeing it succeed makes him happy. Rather than being selfish about our own applause, we should be happy when our efforts cause people to praise God.
John chapter 3 is one of the most important passages in the entire gospel. Many crucial ideas are explained here, including the role of Jesus as Savior. After the loud, public commotion at the temple, John transitions to a quiet, nighttime discussion. The speakers are Jesus and a Pharisee, Nicodemus, who is sincerely interested in understanding Jesus' ministry. These verses make it clear that Christ—and Christ alone—is the means of salvation for the entire world. This text also states that those who reject Jesus are rejecting God.
