What is the significance of John baptizing in Bethabara (John 1:28)?

Response

John’s baptismal ministry is a key focus at the beginning of each of the four Gospels. The Gospel of John uniquely mentions a specific location where John was baptizing during Jesus’ baptism. Early manuscripts refer to this location as “Bethany beyond the Jordan” “These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.”, (John 1:28). Some manuscripts mention the place as “Bethabara.”

The phrase “beyond the Jordan” likely indicates the area east of the Jordan River, opposite to where most of John’s ministry took place. The challenge in identifying “Bethany beyond the Jordan” is the absence of any known locations named Bethany on the east side of the Jordan. Origen, an early church father, suggested that the actual place of Jesus’ baptism might be called Bethabara (“House of the Ford”), a term still used in some English translations like the KJV and NKJV. This location could be the same as the ford mentioned in Judges 7:24.

Whether it is Bethany or Bethabara, the term “beyond the Jordan” may hold significance. Since Israel was situated west of the Jordan, baptizing on the other side could symbolize a ministry to the Gentiles. This outreach is evident in the Gospels (cf: Matthew 8:28-34;John 4:7-38).

The pivotal moment that highlights John’s baptismal ministry at Bethabara or Bethany is Jesus’ baptism. John, a prophet of God, was tasked with preparing the way for the Messiah’s arrival (Isaiah 40:3-5;John 1:23).

A significant aspect of this ministry was preaching repentance, preparing the minds of the people to meet the Messiah «And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. », (John 1:31).

In Matthew 3:13–17, the events surrounding Jesus’ baptism are recorded. John tries to refuse to baptize Jesus, as he understood the significance of Jesus’ identity. John argued that Jesus should baptize him. However, Jesus responds by stating the reason for the baptism; namely, to fulfill all righteousness «And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. », (Matthew 3:15). In John 1:31, we are told that John was baptizing with water to reveal Jesus as the Son of God. John then confirms this took place when the Spirit descended like a dove and alighted on Jesus.

The place called Bethabara, or Bethany, is where Jesus was revealed to Israel as the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. John’s ministry, prophesied in Isaiah and Malachi, was being fulfilled.

Similar to how water baptism is a public proclamation for Christians today, John’s baptizing at Bethabara was a public proclamation of the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. As the passage records, Jesus is the Son of God «And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. », (John 1:34). This revelation impacted John the Baptist’s society, and it still impacts ours today.