John 3:25

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[About then] a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over ceremonial cleansing.

Cross References

Matthew 3:11

“I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows me [i.e., in my ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses 10 and 12].

Mark 7:8

You disregard the commandment of God and [yet] hang onto the traditions of men.”

John 2:6

Now there were six clay water jars there, used by the Jews for ceremonial washings [i.e., for hands, utensils, etc.]. Each one held from 17 to 26 gallons.

Hebrews 6:2

and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John’s and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment.

Hebrews 9:10

since, with foods and drinks and various [ceremonial] washings, they are only outward regulations imposed until the time when everything would be made right [i.e., under the New Agreement].

Hebrews 9:23

Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things [i.e., the Tabernacle, its furniture and utensils, etc.] to be [ceremonially] cleansed by these things [i.e., the blood of animal sacrifices], but the heavenly things themselves [i.e., the church, both on earth and in heaven] require better sacrifices than these [i.e., the sacrifice of Christ].

1 Peter 3:21

This water prefigured immersion [into Christ], which now also saves you, not by removing dirt from the [physical] body, but [by serving] as an appeal [or, “pledge”] to God for a clear conscience through the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead.