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Joh 4:2. Ἰησοῦς, Jesus) So the [Vulg.] Lat. Ἰησοῦς αὐτός is the reading of the Greeks [B: also of the old Lat. ab: Αὐτὸς Ἰης. is that of AD: and K inserts ὁ]; αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Chrysost.-οὐκ ἐβάπτιζεν, did not baptize) To baptize, a ministerial action: Act 10:48, “He, Peter, commanded them to be baptized” [sc. by subordinate ministers]; 1Co 1:17, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel.” John, being a minister [subordinate to Him], baptized with his own hand; his [Johns] disciples, as it seems, baptized none. But Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit.[71]
[71] ἀλλʼ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, but His disciples) It is delightful to observe in this passage, in what way the Saviour gradually led on His disciples to the discharge of ministerial duties. Their first province was that of baptizing (after the manner, as it were, of deacons”), in this place: then also to announce the kingdom of the heavens (Mat 10:7, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand): at length they were bound to publish abroad everywhere the full doctrine concerning Jesus Christ the Son of GOD, and His passion and resurrection.-Harm., p. 170.