"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (The Bible, ECL 3:1)

Esta lectura en español (This reading in Spanish): Jesús y Juan: ambos bautizando.

• Jesus Christ took care of his life (10:39-42).
• Prophecies about Jesus.
• The illness of Lazarus and Christian friendship (11:1-6).

Go to: Bible Course.

Go to: Study of Saint John.

Bible, Complete Study St. John: Jesus Christ took care of his life.

By Javier R. Cinacchi (Translate by Ruth B. Vera Castro):
https://www.estudiargratis.com.ar/study-saint-john/Jesus-and-John-Baptist.html

[READING: Saint John 3:22-36]

Jesus and John: Both baptizing

Joh 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Explanation about each versicle:
V.22. (Continuing with the Study of Gospel of John). It begin to tell another event, Jesus is heading for baptize to Judea, being very probably that those who were baptizing in their totality were their disciples and not himself; however not is clarified here but after, when says in the chapter four from Gospel of John, versicle two: “Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples”. (If you don't know: What is the baptism?)

V. 23. It is assumed that Salim, the place where John was mentioned, was a few miles to the east of Mount Gerizim, where Jesus was with his disciples. Both, for a period of time were then baptizing close to each other, although in different regions, making the same, with possibly the same preaching: repentance of sins, and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 3:2; Matt. 4:17).

V. 24. John (the Baptist) was imprisoned and executed because of his preaching, especially against Herodias, this is in Matthew 14:3 “For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.”. However, John the Baptist always remained faithful to God, possibly this is mentioned here only for guidance in time to the reader.



V. 25-26. Some were surprised that Jesus who was announced by John the Baptist, now it was also baptizing people and attracting others to himself. What appears was viewed as competition to the rite of purification. That is, a discussion arose and they came to the first person who began with this act: John the Baptist (Although it appears that from the historical point of view was not an entirely unknown act). John is very clear and correct as ever in his message:

27-30. He starts responding those who spoke of Jesus:



John the Baptist continues to claim the divinity of Jesus, it says to those who approached him, possibly looking disapproval to the act of Jesus. A true minister isn't in competition with another minister who is doing the will of God. I interpret that says first with the phrase "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven" the following: Both Jesus (divine and human) like him (only human) do what it is given by God (Father), ie, there is no rivalry, on the contrary, are like friends. Then John the Baptist clarifies that Jesus is the important, when compared as the "bridegroom", with His "bride", the people (the church, followers), John the Baptist is just like a friend who is happy that his friend grows and stays with the bride.

V. 30 . "He must increase, but I must decrease". The mission of John the Baptist was proclaim Jesus, "Make straight the way of the Lord” (1:23). I've heard this verse mentioned many times in the sense that "one must decrease and the personality of Jesus accrue in one" or even something like comparing "the carnal to the spiritual." Here John talks about his work and its purpose, as indicated by the context, speaking of his ministry, in his specific case. Isn't synonymous with carnality, or sinner person that must wane their sin. The correct implementation would be: who should grow in the lives is Jesus Christ, not the minister who announces it, that is, the one who should grow in fame and glory is Jesus Christ.

V. 31-36. Below is extended, confirming the above, and making a comparison between two ministries: The one which belongs Jesus, who is coming from heaven, and the another one that belongs to him (John), which is the testimony of someone who is from Earth, announcing to the who would come from heaven (Jesus Christ):



V. 31-32. Jesus comes from heaven, He speaks and says the things known for be seen and heard by Him. It's the Word of God made flesh, look at Joh. 1:7-14, John the Baptist is born like a servant of God "on earth". Then, earthly people, accept earthly testimonies, "things" from heaven, to them are difficult to understand, is a matter of faith. We've seen some cases where little understood Jesus (Even to God Himself, seeing and talking face to face). For example, we see Jesus talking to Nicodemus who struggles to understand the reality of the gospel.

V. 33-34. But some accept the testimony of that comes from God (Jesus Christ), and those attest that God is true, such as John the Baptist and millions of Christians around the world, including who writes this reading. Jesus is the promised Messiah and preacher of the Gospel, John, the Baptist, is one who speaks what God has given him, but Jesus speaks having all power, boundless Spirit (V. 34).

With these answers, surely remains clear to those who had consulted with John, about the fact if Jesus baptized as he did:

V. 35. "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand". Jesus has all authority.

V. 36. Urges those who do not believe in Jesus the Son of God, to do so, they create to possess eternal life. "The wrath of God", this is difficult to explain briefly now: If we take as the giver of life to God, have eternal life is to be with God; otherwise, not be with Him is a continuous suffering (even after earthly life). Obviously, the life will be reached by those who have believed in God and His Word (Jesus Christ). The wrath of God, first is the separation of the person from Him, not knowing eternal life, by cause of not having accepted the sacrifice of His Son. Eternal punishment will be already commented at the appropriate time; is described the separation from God in death as something conscious, what causing great suffering, and could be interpreted as "The wrath of God".