Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Then there arose a question between [some of] John's disciples and the Jews, х ek (G1537) toon (G3588) matheetoon (G3101) Iooannou (G2491) meta (G3326) Ioudaioon (G2453)] - rather, 'on the part of John's disciples with the Jews.' But the true reading beyond doubt is, 'with a Jew' х Ioudaiou (G2453)]. The received text has but inferior support.
About purifying - that is, baptizing; the symbolical meaning of washing with water being put (as in John 2:6) for the act itself. Since John and Jesus were the only teachers who baptized Jews, discussions might easily arise between the Baptist's disciples and such Jews as declined to submit to that rite.