John 3:23

John ¹  was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, ²  because water was plentiful there, and people were coming ³  to him ⁴  and being baptized.

Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptised.

John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—

At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there and people kept coming to him for baptism.

At the same time, John was baptizing over at Aenon near Salim, where water was abundant.

Now John was then giving baptism at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were given baptism.

John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized

Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

John ¹  was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, ²  because water was plentiful there, and people were coming ³  to him ⁴  and being baptized.

¹ sn John refers to John the Baptist.

² tn The precise locations of Αἰνών (Ainwn) and Σαλείμ (Saleim) are unknown. Three possibilities are suggested: (1) In Perea, which is in Transjordan (cf. 1:28). Perea is just across the river from Judea. (2) In the northern Jordan Valley, on the west bank some 8 miles [13 km] south of Scythopolis. But with the Jordan River so close, the reference to abundant water (3:23) seems superfluous. (3) Thus Samaria has been suggested. 4 miles (6.6 km) east of Shechem is a town called Salim, and 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Salim lies modern Ainun. In the general vicinity are many springs. Because of the meanings of the names (Αἰνών = “springs” in Aramaic and Σαλείμ = Salem, “peace”) some have attempted to allegorize here that John the Baptist is near salvation. Obviously there is no need for this. It is far more probable that the author has in mind real places, even if their locations cannot be determined with certainty.

³ tn Or “people were continually coming.”

⁴ tn The words “to him” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.