Jesus’ interest in “water and the Spirit” (3:5) as the way of initiation into his new community is now explained. As soon as he leaves Jerusalem, Jesus himself takes up a baptizing ministry in Judea. Verse 22, along with 4:1–3, has the appearance of a transitional passage summarizing a stay in Judea of indefinite length (cf. the brief stay at Capernaum in 2:12). But certain details in the summary require further explanation. For example, did Jesus actually baptize people? No, but his disciples did (4:2). Also, the reason for terminating this Judean ministry is said to have been the Pharisees’ perception of a possible rivalry between John the Baptist and Jesus (4:1). Was there any truth to this perception? Verses 23–30 (and indirectly vv. 31–36 as well) represent the Gospel writer’s answer …