John Calvin 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)

A question then arose. Not without good reason does the Evangelist relate that a question arose from the disciples of John. For, in proportion as they were ill-informed about doctrine, they were all the more eager to enter into debate, as ignorance is always bold and presumptuous. If others had attacked them, they might have been excused. However, when they themselves, though unfit to maintain the contest, voluntarily provoked the Jews, it was a rash and foolish action.

The words mean that “the question was raised by them.” They were to blame not only for taking up a matter they did not understand and speaking about it rashly, beyond their knowledge, but also for another fault, no less serious than the former: they did not so much intend to maintain the lawfulness of Baptism as to defend their master's cause, so that his authority might remain unimpaired. In both respects, they deserved reproof: because, not understanding the real nature of Baptism, they exposed the holy ordinance of God to ridicule; and because, through sinful ambition, they undertook to defend their master's cause against Christ.

It is evident, therefore, that they were astonished and confounded by a single word when it was made known to them that Christ also was baptizing. For while their attention was directed to the person of a man and to outward appearance, they paid less attention to the doctrine. We are taught by their example the mistakes into which people fall when they are motivated by a sinful desire to please others rather than by zeal for God; and we are also reminded that the sole object we ought to keep in view and promote by all means is that Christ alone may have the pre-eminence.

About purifying. The question was about purifying; for the Jews had various baptisms and washings prescribed by the Law. Not satisfied with those God had appointed, they carefully observed many others handed down from their ancestors. When they found that, in addition to such a great number and variety of purifyings, a new method of purifying was introduced by Christ and by John, they regarded it as absurd.