John 3:24

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 3:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For John was not yet cast into prison.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For John was not yet cast into prison.
John 3:24 — American Standard Version

Context — John 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24For John was not yet cast into prison.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For John was not yet cast into prison.] As he afterwards was by Herod, for the sake of Herodias, because he reproved Herod for taking her to be his wife, when she was wife to his brother Philip; (see <401403>Matthew 14:3,4); and this circumstance shows, that these things were done before that journey of Christ into Galilee, mentioned in (<400412>Matthew 4:12,13).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“John not yet cast into prison--Hence it is plain that our Lord's ministry did not commence with the imprisonment of John, though, but for this, we should have drawn that inference from Mat 4:12 and Mark's (Mar 1:14) express statement.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For John was not yet cast into prison - See Luke 3:20. The mention of this shows that John was not imprisoned until some time after our Lord entered on his ministry. The design of John was to call men to repentance, and to prepare them for the Messiah, and this he continued to do after our Saviour commenced his work. It shows that a minister of religion should be industrious to the day of his death. John still toiled in his work not the “less” because the Messiah had come. So ministers should not labor less when Christ appears by his Spirit, and takes the work into his own hands, and turns many to himself. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:24 Before John was thrown into prison (see Matt 14:1-12; Mark 1:14; 6:14-29; Luke 3:19-20), he and Jesus worked in close proximity at the Jordan River. Once John was arrested, Jesus moved north into Galilee (Mark 1:14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 4:12, Mat 14:3; Mar 6:17; Luk 3:19, Luk 3:20, Luk 9:7-9 John 3:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification