Jesus who gives living water
John 4:7-10 [1]
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’
I. Will you give me a drink? (7-9)
It was about noon (John 4:6c). A Samaritan woman came to draw water (7a). Usually, several women together would come to the well to draw water in the evening avoiding noon when it would be too hot in the Middle East. But this woman came to the well at noon alone. We can know she was avoiding others due to her past (John 4:18). See v7b.
Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ (7b)
This shows Jesus was thirsty. However, His primary reason for asking for a drink was to help her ask Him for living water (10b, John 4:15).
According to the traditional Jewish custom of the day, Jews did not associate with Samaritans (9b) and Jewish men refrained from speaking with women in public - even with their own wives [2]. Beyond these social barriers, Jesus helped her.
His disciples were conveniently out of the way (8) [2].
What was the response of the Samaritan woman? See v9a.
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’
v9 shows that she couldn’t comprehend the condescension of a Jew asking for her help, and questioned His unusual freedom from the custom. Philippians 2:5-7 teaches us about the humility of Christ Jesus.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Later this woman realises He is Christ (Messiah) (John 4:25-26).
II. Living Water (10)
What is the answer of Jesus? See v10.
10 Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’
Here, ‘the gift of God’ could mean [3]
- Jesus Himself
- The Holy Spirit
- The singular grace of God in this moment
- Eternal life
- Living water
‘living water’ is explained in John 4:14.
14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’
As ‘rebirth’ in John 3:3-6 had two senses (physical, spiritual) of birth, ‘living water’ can refer to moving water as from a spring or bubbling spring water (physical) [2] and the following (spiritual). Of course, Jesus meant the latter one (spiritual).
“It is evidently the inner-life as the operation of the life of Christ, conceived predominantly under the aspect of inward peace (no longer thirsting), developing into regeneration, life in the Holy Ghost (the water’s becoming a fountain) and perfection in blessedness (springing up into everlasting life).” [3].
Tholuck: “The word of salvation the medium of a living power of the Spirit” (John 7:38, John 11:26) [3]
Godet: “Living water is the life eternal, which is Christ Himself living in the soul by the Holy Spirit” [3].
References
- The Holy Bible: New International Version. Anglicised. Revised and updated. ed. 2011: London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- Borchert, G.L., The New American Commentary: John 1-11. 1996: Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
- Lange, J.P.S., Philip, A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John. Logos Research ed. 2008, Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Jesus tired from the journey by Jacob’s Well, Sychar, Samaria
John 4:5-6 [1]
5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
I. Jesus at Sychar, Samaria (5)
The Assyrians invaded and captured Samaria (2 Kings 17:5-6, 2 Kings 18:9-12). As a result, their blood and culture were mixed with the Gentiles (2 Kings 17:24-41). The purity-oriented Jews might avoid passing through Samaria, which might bring them into contact with the Gentiles or Samaritans [2]. But Jesus chose to pass through it to save a Samaritan woman (John 4:7) and other Samaritans (John 4:39-42) as He saw their souls ripe for the harvest (John 4:35).
Jesus came to a town called Sychar (5a). Jacob had bought a plot of ground from the sons of Hamor in the city of Shechem (Genesis 33:18-19). Jacob had given the plot of ground at Shechem to Joseph’s descendants (5b, Joshua 24:32).
II. Jesus tired from the journey by Jacob’s Well (6)
Jacob’s well was there (6a). ‘Well’ is a place of encounter in the ancient world (Genesis 24:11, 15-17, Genesis 29:2-12) [2]. Jesus was tired from the journey (6b) and thirsty (John 4:7). He sat down by the well (6c).
This shows Jesus was not only divine as God but also mortal as a human. As a human, he experienced our weaknesses and can understand and help us (Hebrews 4:15-16).
“But as in the temptation stories (cf. Matthew 4:3–4; Luke 4:3–4), we, like the disciples in this present story, must learn from Jesus not to allow personal mortality and its needs to dominate our concerns (cf. John 4:31–38)” [2].
References
- The Holy Bible: New International Version. Anglicised. Revised and updated. ed. 2011: London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- Borchert, G.L., The New American Commentary: John 1-11. 1996: Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Jesus, about to go through Samaria after Baptismal Ministry in Judea
John 4:1-4 [1]
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptising more disciples than John—2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria.
I. Water Baptism by the Disciples of Jesus (1-2)
The Pharisees are those who were sent to question Baptist John about his baptism in John 1:24-25. Now they heard of Jesus’ baptism (1).
Passages such as Ezekiel 36:25 and Ezekiel 37:23 let the Jews expect a cleansing of the people [2]. Baptism is related to cleansing and this cleansing would be the role of the Messiah (=the Prophet) or his forerunner (e.g., Elijah) [3] (See John 1:25). So, it is no surprise that Jesus the Messiah incorporated baptism (1, John 3:22, John 3:26). Even so, the fact that Jesus was gaining and baptising more disciples than John (1) was a conflict of interest to them. The reason they handed Jesus over to crucify was self-interest (Matthew 27:18, Mark 15:10). Jesus taught in Matthew 6:24, “…You cannot serve both God and Money.” If their position and popularity were important to them more than God’s will and His commands, they are not serving God but something else expressed as ‘Money’ in Matthew 6:24. Such people suppress the truth by their wickedness, causing the wrath of God (Romans 1:18).
V2 clarifies that this water baptism in v1 was performed not by Jesus but by the disciples of Jesus. This may correct the possible wrong impression that Jesus is a merely baptising prophet parallel to John the Baptist [4].
II. Journey back to Galilee via Samaria (3-4)
Jesus left Judea for a reason written in v1. But it was not simply due to the situational pressure from the conflict of interest among the Pharisees. The Bible tells us that Jesus had power and control (Matthew 26:53) to confront but he purposefully chose to obey and fulfil God’s will (Matthew 26:54). So, we can know his leaving Judea, going back to Galilee (3) via Samaria (4) was decided according to God’s will and direction (John 5:19).
Other verses that show the withdrawal are Matthew 12:15, Mark 3:7 and Luke 5:16 [4].
References
- The Holy Bible: New International Version. Anglicised. Revised and updated. ed. 2011: London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- Lenski, R.C.H., The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel. Logos Research Edition ed. 1961, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
- Park, Y. Baptist John Baptises them with Water as the forerunner of the Messiah. 1/1/2023]; Available from: https://comnc.org/baptist-john-baptises-them-with-water-as-the-forerunner-of-the-messiah.
- Borchert, G.L., The New American Commentary: John 1-11. 1996: Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Christmas written in John 1 ~ 3
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We studied John 1 ~ 3 recently. What is Christmas written in John 1 ~ 3? There are verses like John 1:9, John 1:14, and John 1:18. Today let us study John 1:14 [1, 2].
I. “The Word became flesh” (14a)
‘the Word’ existed before the creation, before our time and space ever existed. ‘the Word’ was intimate and together with God. ‘the Word’ was God (John 1:1).
This Word was born as a baby to be with us. His name is Jesus. Hallelujah! This is Good News of Great Joy (Luke 2:10)! Great Joy is from the Salvation gracefully & mercifully given to those who do not deserve. This joy is for everyone (Luke 2:10, John 1:9). He was conceived in Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit. His Father was literally God in heaven. We celebrate this event every year. This event is Christmas! Merry Christmas!
On Christmas, the whole world celebrates with great joy, playing carols, sending greeting cards, having family gatherings, enjoying the holidays, and helping the poor.
II. “and made his dwelling among us.” (14b)
His name is also Immanuel (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14), meaning ‘God with us’. In the Old testament, God descended on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18), revealed His Glory, and gave the Law through Moses. This was an awesome event! But ‘God made His dwelling among us’ is even more awesome!! Amen.
III. "We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (14c)
“We have seen his glory”
Jesus performed numerous awesome miracles that no one has seen before. This is glorious! He taught the awesome Truth like no other. This is glorious! He died for our sins, raised in three days, and became the king of kings, and the lord of lords (Revelation 19:16, Philippians 2:9-11). This is glorious! Overcoming temptations, answering to tricky questions without being trapped, being a man with the Word within, … There are many other glories we can see about Him.
“the glory of one and only son”
The Word was one and only son of God before the creation (Hebrews 1:2). Also, on the earth Jesus was literally one and only son of God, who was conceived in a virgin called Mary through the Holy Spirit.
“who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”
Grace is mercy. Grace is Grace because it was given to those who do not deserve. Jesus forgave and healed many people while the Law would condemn them.
Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Jesus lived and taught Truth such as hate your life to keep it for eternal life (John 12:25, Matthew 10:39, Luke 17:33), serve to be great (Matthew 20:26-27, Mark 10:43-44, Luke 22:26), narrow gate to life; wide gate to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:24) to name a few. His entire life was full of examples for all mankind to follow.
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References
1. The Holy Bible: New International Version. Anglicised. Revised and updated. ed. 2011: London: Hodder & Stoughton.
2. The Word became flesh (Part 1). 25/12/2022]; Available from: https://comnc.org/the-word-became-flesh-part-1/.
Have Eternal life or Remain Condemned
John 3:35-36
35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
I. God has placed everything in His Son’s hands (35)
See John 3:35.
35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
‘The Father loves the Son’ (35a, Matthew 3:17) is the cause of the following action: ‘has placed everything in his hands’ (35b).
Verses similar to 35b are Matthew 11:27, John 13:3, Matthew 28:18, and Ephesians 1:22.
‘has placed everything in his hands’ (35b) includes the fact that the reality of salvation is actually in the hands of Jesus [2].
See Matthew 11:27.
27 ‘All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
All things that have been committed to the Son (35b, Matthew 11:27a) include ‘knowledge’ (Matthew 11:27b) which means ‘experiential relationship’ or ‘eternal life’ (John 17:3). We discuss this again in Section II below.
II. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (36a)
See John 3:36a.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
‘eternal life’ in v36a is defined in John 17:3.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent
Here, ‘knowledge’ is not just necessary information but the experiential relationship. In Jesus, our relationship with God is restored and we experience God.
Eternal life contains a present element and does not exclude a future dimension [2].
God’s Wisdom in Proverbs represents God the Son (Jesus, Proverbs 8:22-31). In Proverbs 8:35, God’s Wisdom speaks as follows.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favour from the Lord.
‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life’ (36a) matches ‘those who find me find life and receive favour from the LORD’ in Proverbs 8:35. 'me' in Proverbs 8:35 may be replaced with 'Jesus'.
III. Whoever rejects the Son remains condemned (36b)
See John 3:36b.
but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
In Proverbs 8:36, God’s Wisdom (God the Son) speaks as follows.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.’
36b matches Proverbs 8:36.
‘God’s wrath remains on them’ means not to become condemned but to continue in condemnation [2].
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011), Revised and updated edition. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2011).
[2] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 195.
The One whom God has Sent
John 3:34
34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
v34 contains the Father (God), the Son (the Words of God), and the Holy Spirit (the Spirit) [2].
I. The One whom God has Sent
See v34a.
For the one whom God has sent
Baptist John
Baptist John was a man sent from God (John 1:6).
Jesus
The Gospel of John mentions 39 times that Jesus was sent from God (John 3:17, John 3:34, John 4:34, John 5:23–24, John 5:30, John 5:36–38, John 6:29, John 6:38–39, John 6:44, John 6:57, John 7:16, John 7:29, John 8:16, John 8:18, John 8:26, John 8:29, John 8:42, John 9:4, John 10:36, John 11:42, John 12:44–45, John 12:49, John 13:16, John 13:20, John 14:24, John 15:21, John 16:5, John 17:3, John 17:18, John 17:21, John 17:23, John 17:25, John 20:21) [3].
“This affirms Jesus’ deity and heavenly origin, as well as God’s sovereignty and love in initiating the Son’s Incarnation (cf. Galatians 4:4, 1 John 4:9–10, 14).” [3]
II. He Speaks the Words of God
He did not speak on his own but the words of God.
Jesus said in John 12:49,
49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
Similarly, Jesus did only what he sees his Father doing (John 5:19).
19 Jesus gave them this answer: ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
III. God Gives the Spirit Without Limit
See v34c.
For God gives the Spirit without limit.
“The Jewish teachers taught that the different prophets had received various measures of the Spirit according to the demands of their assigned tasks. For example, Rabbi Aha said that the Spirit worked in each prophet according to the measure of each prophet’s task assigned by God. This was true also of the Baptist, but not of Jesus, to whom God gave the Spirit in fullness or without limitations (cf. Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9).” [4].
Colossians 1:19
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
Colossians 2:9
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
The words of Jesus contain full of the Spirit and life
See John 6:63.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011), Revised and updated edition. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2011).
[2] Kenneth O. Gangel, John, vol. 4, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 60.
[3] Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 283.
[4] Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 3:34.
The One Who Comes From Heaven Is Above All
John 3:31-33
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
I. The Agent of Heaven and the Agent of Earth (31, 32a)
The following statement is derived from v31 and v32a.
“The authentic messenger or agent from heaven is utterly superior to any and all earth-oriented persons (31), for he has seen and heard the realities of heaven and bears witness to those realities (32a)” [6].
II. The World’s Tragic Rejection of the Agent of Heaven and His Testimony (32b)
See v32.
32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
‘no one’ should not be taken literally but be understood as a literary hyperbole to emphasize the world’s tragic rejection of the heavenly messenger [2] and his testimony.
“John reviews the history as a whole, in the course of which the believers are a vanishing minority.” [Tholuck] “John no doubt speaks here with the conduct of the Jews chiefly in view” [2].
This rejection finally resulted in the crucifixion.
III. Those who Accepted the Testimony of the Agent of Heaven (33)
But Jesus was raised back to life. The resurrection proved that Jesus was the son of God (Romans 1:4). Now v33 says,
33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
This contrast between the universal rejection (32) and the acceptance (33) is clearly a mirror image of the initial one made in the Prologue (John 1:1-18) [2]. The universal rejection is written in John 1:10-11 and the acceptance is written in John 1:12.
See other translations [4] for John 3:33. V33 could be said, “The one who accepts the witness of Jesus attests that Jesus speaks the message of God” [5].
One might have expected ‘…has certified that Jesus is truthful’ in v33. But it says, ‘…has certified that God is truthful’. To accept Jesus is to accept God; to deny Jesus is to deny God and regard both as liars. [7]
God confers great honour on poor, worthless men, who are thought worthy of approving the sacred truth of God [8].
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011), Revised and updated edition. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2011).
[2] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 193.
[3] John Peter Lange and Philip Schaff, A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 144–145.
[4] "John 3:33 in Other Translations." Retrieved 4/12/2022, from https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/3-33.html#:~:text=John%203%3A33%20in%20Other%20Translations&text=33%20Whoever%20receives%20his%20testimony,this%2C%20that%20God%20is%20true.&text=33%20Anyone%20who%20accepts%20his%20testimony%20can%20affirm%20that%20God%20is%20true.&text=33%20But%20anyone%20who%20examines,God%20himself%20is%20the%20truth.
[5] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jn 3:33.
[6] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 193.
[7] Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 3:33.
[8] John Calvin, John, Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1994), Jn 3:33.
He Must Become Greater
John 3:30
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
I. Baptist John
The word of God came to Baptist John son of Zechariah in the wilderness (Luke 3:2). He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3).
Gloriously, so many people came to Baptist John. See Mark 1:5.
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him.
II. Temptation for Vain Glory
The devil tempted them for vain glory [3] (‘you will be like God’) in Genesis 3:5.
“…when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…”
The devil tempted Jesus for vain glory in Matthew 4:5-6 by asking to throw himself down from the temple top and in Matthew 4:8-9 by promising the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.
III. God’s Will
See v30a (NIV).
“He must become greater
Many translations said, “He must increase”.
“Jesus must increase” is nothing less than God’s will that he does so [4]. We should put God’s will first before rivalry or jealousy.
For your reference, some verses on vain glory are 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, Philippians 2:3, Galatians 5:26, Proverbs 25:6, Galatians 6:14, and 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 [2].
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011), Revised and updated edition. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2011).
[2] "Vain Glory." Retrieved 27/11/2022, from https://www.openbible.info/topics/vain_glory.
[3] John Chrysostom, “Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Gospel of St. John,” in Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and Epistle to the Hebrews, ed. Philip Schaff, trans. G. T. Stupart, vol. 14, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1889), 102.
[4] Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 3:30.
Baptist John’s Joy as the Friend of the Bridegroom in the Wedding
John 3:29
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
I. The bride belongs to the bridegroom (29a)
See v29a.
The bride belongs to the bridegroom.
Here, the bride represents the church and the bridegroom Christ. The church belongs to Christ (29a).
II. The joy of the bridegroom’s friend (29b-29c)
See v29b.
The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.
The friend who attends the bridegroom represents Baptist John, the forerunner of the Messiah (29b).
At that time, the bridegroom normally selected one or two close friends to escort the bride to the bridegroom’s marriage chamber. John gladly accepted his role as a friend of the bridegroom, just as he had earlier willingly turned over his disciples to Jesus in John 1:35-37. [1]
This role was also played by the Apostles. See 2 Corinthians 11:2.
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
The friend waits and listens for the voicing of the bridegroom’s happiness and joy [2]. As the friend, he rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom (29b).
Baptist John was waiting for the lamb of God, Jesus to appear (Matthew 3:13-17, John 1:29-34, John 1:36) and people flocking around him (John 1:37, John 3:26-30).
Baptist John heard the news about Christ in John 3:26.
‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’
Baptist John showed neither rivalry nor envy but was filled with the joy of the bridegroom’s friend.
He said in 29c, “This is my joy. It is now complete”. New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates, “So, this joy of mine has been made full”.
References
[1] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 191–192.
[2] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 285.
A person can receive only what is given them from heaven
John 3:22-28
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptised. 23 Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptised. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’
27 To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.”
I. Baptism affirmed by Jesus (22)
In John 3:5, Jesus told Nicodemus about being ‘born of water’, which was related to the baptism of repentance. After Jesus talked with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside (22a). There, Jesus spent some time with his disciples and baptised (22).
Here, we can learn that baptism was affirmed by Jesus [1].
II. Only given from heaven (23-27)
Baptist John also was baptising (23), but everyone was going to Jesus (26). This trend was heard by the Pharisees (John 4:1). John 4:2 clarifies that it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples. Jesus had to leave Judea to avoid their jealousy (John 4:3).
How did Baptist John respond to this trend? See v27.
To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
We may replace ‘from heaven’ with ‘from above’ (John 19:11) [2] or ‘by God’ (Today’s English Version) [2]. Baptism was not a human achievement but what was given by God.
We can learn this perspective from what Jesus said in John 6:44a.
‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,
It was by God that everyone was going to Jesus (26b).
III. The contrast between Jesus and Baptist John (28)
Baptist John did not exalt himself more than he should [3] as shown in John 1:20-21 and John 3:27-28.
Jesus is the Messiah and Baptist John is the forerunner of the Messiah (28).
Jesus is the light (John 1:4, John 1:9) and Baptist John is a witness to the light (John 1:7-8). Jesus is the Word (John 1:14) and Baptist John is the voice (John 1:23). Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33) and Baptist John baptises with water (John 1:31).
Let us continue to study Baptist John’s response (John 3:29-36) in the next lesson(s).
References
[1] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 189.
[2] Barclay Moon Newman and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the Gospel of John, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 98.
[3] John Calvin, John, Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1994), Jn 3:27.
