Jesus Christ’s Baptism at Bethabara Beyond Jordan

Bethabara (Hebrew word meaning place of fording/crossing) has been identified through geographical references and by the Byzantines who built a church and baptism place across the Jordan river from Judea in what is today the country of Jordan. The site is where a spring flowed into the Jordan River. Many pilgrims came here to be re-baptized from the Byzantine through the Crusader periods (about 400 to 1300 AD). Since that time the river has shifted to the west by a few hundred yards, probably due to earthquakes as the Jordan valley is part of one of the largest fault lines on earth. The picture above is of the spring site with four pillar foundations over the baptismal site and a stair leading to the covered ruins of the Byzantine church. It was here where John the Baptist preached and baptized. The spring has since lessened quite a bit, possibly also because of the earthquakes that moved the course of the Jordan River.

The most thorough account of Jesus’ baptism is recorded in the Gospel of John:

“These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:28-34.

Immediately after his baptism the Lord went into the wilderness [i.e. desert] and was tempted by Satan, please see the link to my post on The 3 Temptations of Christ.

The above picture is of the Jordan River, about 200 yards from the Bethabara Baptismal site. The photo also depicts Israel’s Qasr el-Yahud Baptismal site for tourists, and if you only visit Israel and not Jordan it is the closest you can get to the actual place where John was baptizing. Today’s Jordan River is only a fraction of the width it would have been in Biblical times. That is because both Israel and Jordan are siphoning off water for agricultural use.

In Old Testament times, Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan, very near here, following the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Israelites began their conquest of Canaan from here. Jericho is a few miles west of here. This is where the name Bethabara comes from, the crossing place of Joshua and the Israelites.

“And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. Joshua 3:14-17.

The act of the priests stepping into the the flooded Jordan River was an act of faith that was rewarded by the parting of the river, just as the Red Sea had parted for their parents.

In addition, Elijah also crossed the Jordan River near here and was taken up into heaven by a celestial chariot:

“And they two [Elijah and Elisha] stood by Jordan [River]. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it.” 2 Kings 2:7-12.

About 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) north of Bethabara is Elijah’s Hill. Here the Byzantines built a monastery on the traditional location of where Elijah was taken into heaven. Today, the ruins of the monastery are open to the public.