John's "Place of Springs"

by Wayne Blank

Aenon, from the Greek word (pronounced) ahee-nohn, is derived from the Hebrew word (pronounced) ay-yin, both of which meant a place of springs. Aenon was a place on or near the Jordan River where John baptized at the time near the end of his ministry (and likely long before), when John knew his assigned service was nearing completion. He told his disciples, some of whom later became Jesus' disciples, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30 KJV). The single mention of Aenon in the Scriptures is just a few verses after the popular "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" of John 3:16 (the Gospel book of John was of course written by the apostle John, not John the Baptist).

"John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there"

The Jordan River John the Baptist was "the Elijah to come" (Matthew 11:12-14) for that time, but unlike the original Elijah and the end-time Elijah (see The Elijahs), John the Baptist apparently had no miraculous powers. There is not a single recorded miracle done by John - he didn't need any. He had a very popular and powerful ministry, so much so that some wondered if he was the Christ. But John told them all that the Christ was another, someone who was then just beginning His public ministry. John referred to himself as the "best man" of a wedding where Christ was the groom.

"After these things came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized."
"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison." [see John's Last Days]
"Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying [Jews well understood about baptism - see the Fact Finder question below]. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:22-30 KJV)

Fact Finder: When and how did baptism originate?
See The Origin of Baptism

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