The Baptism site
The overwhelming biblical, archaeological, and historical evidence has led many
religious leaders throughout the world to recognize this site as the authentic site
of Jesus' baptism
The overwhelming biblical, archaeological, and historical evidence has led many
religious leaders throughout the world to recognize this site as the authentic site
of Jesus' baptism
"Bethany beyond the Jordan" is situated a few hundred meters from the Jordan River.
Excavations have uncovered 1st century AD settlement with plastered pools and water
systems that were used almost certainly for baptism, a 5th - 6th century AD late
Byzantine settlement with churches, a monastery and other structures probably catering
to religious pilgrims. Excavations are still underway and new discoveries are being
made in that area almost daily. The place where John the Baptist lived and baptized
Jesus, Bethany and other nearby places formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage
route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River and Mount Nebo. It is the location, directly
opposite Jericho, where Joshua completed Moses' mission by miraculously crossing
the Jordan River with his people (Joshua 3:14-17).
The area has also been identified as the spot where centuries later the prophets
Elijah and Elisha divided the Jordan's waters 'to the right and left' and crossed
to the east bank of the river and where the prophet Elijah went up by a whirlwind
to heaven on a chariot of fire and horses of fire (2 Kings 2:5-14). Throughout history Bethany was known by several different
names: Tell el-Kharrar, Tell Mar Elias, Bethabara, Ainon, Saphsaphas. Today the
area is called Al-Maghtas in Arabic, the place of baptism. In recent years extensive
archaeological excavations are taking place.
One can visit the remains of a Byzantine monastery and churches, baptism
and water storage pools, water systems and chapels. Also identified here is the
cave where, according to numerous Byzantine pilgrims' texts, John the Baptist lived.
The pilgrims noted that fresh water flowed out of the cave, which John drank and
used for baptism.
In the early Byzantine period (early fourth to early seventh centuries AD) the cave
was turned into a church. Nowadays the remains of this church and the water channel
emerging from the cave can be visited.
In March 2000, Pope John Paul II held an outdoor Mass at the site attended
by 25,000 worshippers in attendance. Pope Benedict XVI visited Bethany in May 2009.
VIP Visitors
- H.E. President of Portugal (2006), Jorge Sampaio.
- H.E. President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
- H.E. President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia.
- H.E. President Halonen of Finland.
- H.E. President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon.
- H.E. Rt Hon Anthony Charles Lynton Blair.
- H.E. President László Sólyom of the Republic of Hungary.
- H.E. President Anibal Cavaco Silva of Portugal.
- H.E. President S.R. Nathan of Singapore.
- H.E. President Mary McAleese of Ireland.
- H.E. Cardinal Angelo Scola, The Patriarch of Venice.
- H.E. Metropolitan Vladimir Metropolitan of Chişinău and Moldova.
- H.E. The President of the Domenikan Republic, Leonel Fernández.
- H.E. David Coffey, President of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA).
- Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley G. Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA.