Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan

Introducing Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan

Then Jesus came from the Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.

(Matthew 3:13)

This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

(John 1:28)

Known in Arabic as Al-Maghtas, the 'Baptism Site' has been identified by archaeologists as the place where John the Baptist preached, where Jesus was baptised by John, where the first five apostles met and thus where the foundations of the early Christian faith were laid. Jesus is said to have come here to meet en route from Galilee and Umm Qais and is believed to have spent three days here before heading off to spend 40 days in the nearby wilderness. John was later arrested and beheaded by Herod at Machaerus, also in Jordan.

The site was known to the Greeks as Sapsafas and to the Bible as Bethany, from the Aramaic Beit Anniya ('House of the Crossing'). Pilgrim churches, guesthouses and a 6th-century pilgrim road grew up around the site, which was visited, as it is today, en route from Jerusalem to Mt Nebo.

As early as 1899, works along the east bank of the Jordan River revealed ancient remains. It wasn't until works were carried out by archaeologists and activists clearing landmines (following the 1994 peace treaty with Israel & the Palestinian Territories) that the remains of churches, caves, extensive wells and water channels, as well as several baptism pools, were found. After much debate, scholars declared the area as the site of John the Baptist's mission and Jesus' baptism, locating it from descriptions in the Bible and from 3rd- to 10th-century pilgrim accounts. Events culminated with Pope John Paul II conducting a massive open-air mass at the site in the spring of 2000.

In addition to the celebrated baptism, Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan is where Jesus 'went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising to escape persecution from Jerusalem' (John 10:40). Many also believe that it was from here that the prophet Elijah (who was born in Mar Elias in north Jordan) ascended to heaven in a whirlwind:

And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Eli'jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

2 Kings 2:11

Beyond its religious significance the site has a fine location, with views of the Dead Sea, Mt Nebo, Jericho (12km away), Jerusalem (27km away) and the Jordan River. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) wants to protect the surrounding marsh and reed lands, and the birds and insects that rely on it.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009