John 3:25-27

Contemporary English Version

²⁵John's followers got into an argument with a Jewish man^[a] about a ceremony of washing.^[b] ²⁶They went to John and said, “Rabbi, you spoke about a man when you were with him east of the Jordan. He is now baptizing people, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷John replied:

No one can do anything unless God in heaven allows it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

3.25 a Jewish man: Some manuscripts have “some Jewish men.”
3.25 about a ceremony of washing: The Jewish people had many rules about washing themselves and their dishes, in order to make themselves fit to worship God.

John 3:25-27

New International Version

²⁵An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.^(A) ²⁶They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,^(B) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified^(C) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.

Read full chapter