"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him (Matthew 3:13)".
Amongst religious scholars there seems to be a consensus that during the life of Jesus two events certainly occurred. One was the crucifixion, but previous to that was his baptism.
There was debate over the location of this baptism but in recent years and due to certain discoveries a site on the east bank of the River Jordan, in Jordan, is deemed to be the correct place. This is called "Bethany beyond the Jordan".
Rumours had abounded as to its exact position. Scholars poured over biblical texts and other accounts and sources of information to try and pin it down. The collective memory of local Bedouins pointed out a possible location but there was a snag. It was a military area immediately at the border between Jordan and Israel – the River itself is the border so this was in reality to be expected.
What has come to be known as The Baptism Site was a militarized zone, full of mines. Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994 and this allowed for a de-mining of the area.
While on a personal trip to Mount Nebo, HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad met the archaeologist and monk Father Piccirillo, Father Piccirillo explained to HRH Prince Ghazi about the significance of the Baptism Site, and the possibility of looking for it now that the peace treaty had been signed. HRH Prince Ghazi arranged with the military for them to visit the site. On their visit, they found mosaic patterns and ruins of a church. It was enough for HRH Prince Ghazi to order further investigation.
On one site near the river Jordan, mosaic remains were found; then marble remains; then more remains. In total, the remains of five different churches, built at separate times, were found.
Old pilgrims' accounts show how closely their descriptions matched with what was discovered –
Antoninus of Piacenze (A.D 570) said: "By the side of the Jordan, where the Lord was baptized, at the place where the water returned to its bed, marble steps descend into the water."
Remains of the marble steps were found during the excavations.
Various other accounts were authenticated with relevant discoveries at the site as to location and composition of the layout.
This is the location. The blue is the top of the Dead Sea, Jericho is to the west and Amman to the east –
Amongst religious scholars there seems to be a consensus that during the life of Jesus two events certainly occurred. One was the crucifixion, but previous to that was his baptism.
There was debate over the location of this baptism but in recent years and due to certain discoveries a site on the east bank of the River Jordan, in Jordan, is deemed to be the correct place. This is called "Bethany beyond the Jordan".
Rumours had abounded as to its exact position. Scholars poured over biblical texts and other accounts and sources of information to try and pin it down. The collective memory of local Bedouins pointed out a possible location but there was a snag. It was a military area immediately at the border between Jordan and Israel – the River itself is the border so this was in reality to be expected.
What has come to be known as The Baptism Site was a militarized zone, full of mines. Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994 and this allowed for a de-mining of the area.
While on a personal trip to Mount Nebo, HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad met the archaeologist and monk Father Piccirillo, Father Piccirillo explained to HRH Prince Ghazi about the significance of the Baptism Site, and the possibility of looking for it now that the peace treaty had been signed. HRH Prince Ghazi arranged with the military for them to visit the site. On their visit, they found mosaic patterns and ruins of a church. It was enough for HRH Prince Ghazi to order further investigation.
On one site near the river Jordan, mosaic remains were found; then marble remains; then more remains. In total, the remains of five different churches, built at separate times, were found.
Old pilgrims' accounts show how closely their descriptions matched with what was discovered –
Antoninus of Piacenze (A.D 570) said: "By the side of the Jordan, where the Lord was baptized, at the place where the water returned to its bed, marble steps descend into the water."
Remains of the marble steps were found during the excavations.
Various other accounts were authenticated with relevant discoveries at the site as to location and composition of the layout.
This is the location. The blue is the top of the Dead Sea, Jericho is to the west and Amman to the east –
Simple enough for me to get to, about 45 minutes away, but I’d not yet been as I had little interest to be honest. However, in recent days we’ve had two friends from Germany staying with us – and both are priests – so guess what the theme has been of where I’ve been taking them?
So we went.
The system is you pull in at a car park next to which is a ticket booth. Pay 12 JD (approx 12 Euro) each and you have the option of a free audio guide. Then, as the site is still officially in the military zone, you use a shuttle bus for 3 or 4 km to get to near the actual place itself. The group of you on the bus are guided round to various points and about an hour later are herded back on the same bus to return to the car park.
Initially there is a reasonably pleasant walk down some paths –
The first thing you come to is –
This is where the churches were that were mentioned in contemporary writings. This is also allegedly the actual physical location that Jesus was baptised –
In reality –
Obvious to note that as of now there is no water there.
A woman from the group I was with saw this site and asked the guide where the water was. He just shrugged his shoulders –
We walked around the other side where the wooden roof area is that covers the remains of what was once one of the churches –
After a few minutes here and satiated with photos we moved a hundred metres or so further down the path. We passed by this building which we’ll look inside at shortly. It is a new Greek Orthodox church –
All of a sudden, a little further down the path, the Jordan river appeared. For all its hyped story it is now just not quite so impressive. Blame humans for siphoning off most of it upstream. By the way, apart from some springs, this is the main source of replenishment of the Dead Sea -
I noticed quite a few people on the other side. My friends asked me if the river is still the border between Jordan and Israel. I confirmed it was and pointed to the Israeli flag not more than a few metres away across the other side –
On our side of the river we were but a poor few compared to the other side –
Numerous people were filling up water bottles from the river to take home and baptise their offspring. At least I presume that was the case as I doubt there is much benefit to be gained from drinking it.
On site is also a font that can be used for your own ceremonies –
I made my way back to the aforementioned church and had a wander in. Quite colourful and I’m sure someone of knowledge can enlighten us as to the stories behind the murals. For me, I just admired the use of colour and the artistry –
A return walk back around a slightly different path brought me to a view of the river with the church in the background –
And that was about it. Back to the shuttle bus, back to the car park and on to see the next thing.