Bible Question:
I was reading in the gospel of John, and as I read the following verses, I felt the need to pause. Then a question about these verses entered my mind. Maybe someone in here can give me an answer. The verses are - John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. Question - Why was it that when the Lord, Jesus heard that, His name was being associated with water baptism, He left Judaea, and departed into Galilee? Any thoughts? |
Bible Answer: Hi New Creature, You have a good question and thought here. John 3:22, "After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing." Unlike John 7:2, it would suggest that He is indeed "baptizing". I think that you are correct in considering the difference between water and spirit baptism. Jesus spent time with them and baptizing. How was He cleansing them? I would think that He spent time in the word of God. And people were coming to Him! They weren't coming to be baptized by Him in water; the disciples were doing that. Rather He was giving them the word. John 3:34, "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the *spirit without measure." From the heart, Ray |