{John was also baptizing} ((886e) de kai ho I(9361)n(8873) baptiz(936e)).
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 Ain(936e) eggus 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} (hoti hudata polla (886e) 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.