Charles Ellicott Commentary John 3:25

"There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John`s disciples with a Jew about purifying." — John 3:25 (ASV)

Then there arose a question.—For “the Jews,” the reading of the better manuscripts is, a Jew. The question arose on the side of John’s disciples. What the exact nature of it was we do not know, and have no means of judging.

It was one of the questions which in every age has arisen about external rites, and has too often been accompanied by a neglect of inner principles. This arose in some way from the fact of the disciples of Jesus baptizing near to the place where John was baptizing, and doubtless was closely connected with these baptisms. The fact is only preserved as an incidental introduction to the remarkable testimony of the Baptist which follows.