John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
John was still baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there, and people came to him and were baptized. At the same time Jesus had come from Jerusalem into the region about the Jordan, crowds were flocking to hear Him, and His disciples were baptizing many, so two baptizing works were going forward side by side. Day by day the crowds around John grew smaller while the number of those receiving baptism through the disciples of Jesus increased daily. Christ Himself did not personally baptize, but by sanctioning baptism at the hands of His disciples He set His seal upon the mission of His forerunner.
That overlapping work stirred jealousy among John's disciples over the growing popularity of Jesus. John himself was content that the work of Christ was increasing. The rivalry led to a dispute with the Jews over whether baptism availed to cleanse the soul from sin, with the claim that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from that of John, which then turned into a dispute with the disciples of Christ over the proper form of words to be used at baptism and finally over their right to baptize at all.
The verse belongs to the larger passage of John 3:22-36, which is to be read carefully so that it works thorough conviction in the soul leading to repentance. That same passage teaches speaking timely, kindly, and earnest words to erring ones, with seriousness rather than trifling reproof, while remembering that Satan deceptively seeks to overcome every soul and that angels of God are present in every place of business to keep word and action from rudeness and from giving Satan triumph.