Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
John was also baptizing (hn de kai o Iwanhv baptizwn). Periphrastic imperfect picturing the continued activity of the Baptist simultaneous with the growing work of Jesus. There was no real rivalry except in people's minds.
In Aenon near to Salim (en Ainwn egguv tou Saleim). It is not clearly known where this place was. Eusebius locates it in the Jordan valley south of Beisan west of the river where are many springs (fountains, eyes). There is a place called Salim east of Shechem in Samaria with a village called 'Aimen, but with no water there. There may have been water there then, of course.
Because there was much water there (oti udata polla hn ekei). "Because many waters were there." Not for drinking, but for baptizing. "Therefore even in summer baptism by immersion could be continued" (Marcus Dods).
And they came, and were baptized (kai pareginonto kai ebaptizonto). Imperfects both, one middle and the other passive, graphically picturing the long procession of pilgrims who came to John confessing their sins and receiving baptism at his hands.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 3:23:
Acts 19:1
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