Jesus and John the Baptizer

²²After this, Jesus and his followers went into the area of Judea. There Jesus stayed with his followers and baptized* people. ²³John was also baptizing people in Aenon. Aenon is near Salim. John was baptizing there because there was plenty of water. People were going there to be baptized. ²⁴(This happened before John was put into prison.) ²⁵Some of John's followers had an argument with another Jew. They were arguing about religious washing.* ²⁶So the followers came to John. They said, "Teacher, remember the man that was with you on the other side of the Jordan River? He is the man you were telling people about. That man is baptizing* people, and many people are going to him." ²⁷John answered, "A man can get only what God gives him. ²⁸You yourselves heard me say, 'I am not the Christ.* I am only the one that God sent to prepare the way for him.' ²⁹The bride always belongs to the bridegroom.* The friend that helps the bridegroom just waits and listens. He's happy just to hear the bridegroom talk. That's how I feel now. I'm so happy that he (Jesus) is here. ³⁰He must become more and more important. And I must become less important.

The One That Comes from Heaven

³¹"The One (Jesus) that comes from above is greater than all other people. The person that is from the earth belongs to the earth. That person talks about things that are on the earth. But the One (Jesus) that comes from heaven is greater than all other people. ³²He (Jesus) tells what he has seen and heard. But people don't accept what he says. ³³The person that accepts what he (Jesus) says has given proof that God speaks the truth. ³⁴God sent him (Jesus). And he tells the things that God says. God gives [him] the Spirit* fully. ³⁵The Father loves the Son. The Father has given the Son power over everything. ³⁶The person that believes in the Son has life forever. But the person that does not obey the Son will never have that life. God's anger stays with that person."

baptize(d), baptizing Greek word meaning to immerse, dip, or bury a person or thing briefly under water. religious washing The Jews had religious rules about washing in special ways before eating, before worshiping in the temple, and at other special times. Christ The "anointed one" (Messiah) or chosen one of God. bridegroom A man that is getting married. Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.