The property is of highest significance to the majority of Christian denominations as the baptism site of Jesus of Nazareth and since millennia has been a popular pilgrimage destination. The majority of Christian connotations accepted that Bethany beyond the Jordan is the authentic location of Jesus of Nazareth’s baptism, a conviction which strongly characterized historic and present practice of the cultural tradition.Ĭriterion (vi) : The Baptism Site, “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) is directly associated with the Christian tradition of baptism.

This tradition is illustrated by the archaeological evidence, which references the practice of baptism since the 4th century. Beyond its key significance, the site is also associated with the life and ascension of Elijah (also called Elias) and Elisha, which is of common relevance to the monotheistic religions.Ĭriterion (iii) : “Bethany beyond the Jordan” represents in an exceptional way the tradition of baptism, an important sacrament in Christian faith, and with it the historic and contemporary practice of pilgrimage to the site. These archaeological structures testify to the early beginnings of this attributed importance which initiated the construction of churches and chapels, habitation of hermit caves and pilgrimage activities. Physical remains associated with the commemoration of the historic baptism event include a water collection system and pools as well as later built churches, chapels, a monastery, hermit caves, a cruciform baptismal pool, and a pilgrim station. At present, the site has regained a popular status as pilgrimage destination for Christians, who continue to engage in baptism rituals on site. This reference encouraged generations of monks, hermits, pilgrims and priests to reside in and visit the site, and to leave behind testimonies of their devotion and religious activities, dating to between the 4th and the 15th century CE. “Bethany beyond the Jordan” is of immense religious significance to the majority of denominations of Christian faith, who have accepted this site as the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptised by John the Baptist.

The site contains two distinct archaeological areas, Tell el-Kharrar, also known as Jabal Mar Elias, and the area of the Churches of St. The people then followed Joshua across the Jordan river and were saved from their enemies and inherited the Promised Land.The Baptism Site “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) is located in the Jordan Valley, north of the Dead Sea. When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, touch the waters of the Jordan, it will cease to flow the water flowing down from upstream will halt in a single heap. Now choose twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel. The ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth will cross the Jordan before you. So Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord, your God.” He continued: “By this you will know that there is a living God in your midst: he will certainly dispossess before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.

This action is narrated in the book of Joshua. The entire nation had to cross the Jordan river in order to claim the land that God had marked out for them. When the people of Israel were led to the “ Promised Land,” they had one final hurdle to overcome: the Jordan river. This is significant, as this spot wasn’t random, but has profound biblical symbolism.

John the Baptist, it wasn’t just any body of water, or puddle, but the Jordan river.

Jordan river bible facts