Judea

The Land of Judea

JOHN 3 BIBLE STUDY ◄
John 3:17-21 (C) Sons of God

John 3:22-28 Judea

JOHN 3:22 22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and He remained there with them and was baptizing.

Where is “Judea” (John 3:22)?
Israel was divided into three regions back then. Judea was in the south and included Jerusalem; north of Judea was Samaria; and north of Samaria was the region of Galilee, which included the Sea of Galilee. After conquering Israel, the Romans created the Roman province of Judea, which included Samaria, Judea and Idumea, which is a non-Jewish region just south of Judea. So, “Judea” referred to both an Israeli region and a Roman province that was about three times larger than Judea, the region. The “land of Judea” (John 3:22) refers to the region, so Jesus and His disciples had left Jerusalem but hadn't gone far.

JOHN 3:23-24 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there, and they were coming and being baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into the prison.

Which John was baptizing?
John the Baptist, not the John who wrote this gospel.

Where are “Aenon” and “Salim” (John 3:23)?
Jesus was previously with John the Baptist at Bethabara, which is on the east side of the Jordan River (see John the Baptist). Since John is told that Jesus was with him “beyond the Jordan” (John 3:26, see below) - i.e., on the other side of Jordan River - Aenon was located west of the Jordan River, either on its west bank or by a spring with “much water” (John 3:23) further inland. If the latter, Salim was also located west of the Jordan River.

JOHN 3:25-28 25 Then a dispute about purification arose between some of John’s disciples and the Jews. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, the one about whom you testified - look, He is baptizing, and all are going to Him!” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but that I have been sent ahead of Him.

What may the Jews have been trying to do John in 3:26?
It sounds like they were trying to incite John to jealousy.

How does John respond in John 3:27-28?
He puts them in their place, and himself in his place.

Who does John say is in control in John 3:27?
God.