• John 3:23
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 23 ἦν Was δὲ but καὶ also ὁ the Ἰωάνης John βαπτίζων baptizing ἐν in Αἰνὼν Aenon ἐγγὺς near τοῦ the Σαλείμ, Salim, ὅτι because ὕδατα waters πολλὰ many ἦν was ἐκεῖ, there, καὶ and παρεγίνοντο they were coming to be alongside καὶ and ἐβαπτίζοντο· they were being baptized;

  • John Study Notes—Chapter 3
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 3:23

      baptizing: Or “immersing.” The Greek word ba·ptiʹzo means “to dip; to plunge.” The Bible indicates that baptism involves complete immersion. This account tells us that John was baptizing at this location “because there was a great quantity of water there.” (See study note on Aenon in this verse.) When Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, they both “went down into the water.” (Ac 8:38) The same Greek word is used in the Septuagint at 2Ki 5:14 when describing that Naaman “plunged into the Jordan seven times.”

      Aenon: A place having a great quantity of water available. It was near the apparently better-known place named Salim. The exact locations of these places are uncertain; however, Eusebius indicates a location in the Jordan Valley about eight Roman miles (12 km; 7.5 mi) S of Scythopolis (Beth-shean). In this area is Tell Ridgha (Tel Shalem), tentatively identified with Salim. Nearby are several springs that might fit Eusebius’ description of the place called Aenon. In the Bible, these two locations, Aenon and Salim, are mentioned only here.