For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have read the biblical account of Jesus stepping into the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. Now, an archaeologist says ancient ruins, centuries-old records, and Scripture itself are converging on the location of that defining moment.
According to the Daily Mail, archaeologist Waheeb of Hashemite University in Jordan argues that the “true place” of Christ’s baptism was Bethany, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, at a site known as Al-Maghtas.
And the evidence reaches far beyond a collection of ancient stones.
Excavations between 1996 and 2002 uncovered many sites, including baptismal pools, churches and prayer halls, indicating centuries of Christian presence in the area. Waheeb also identified evidence that the location was inhabited during the first century.
“These remains indicate that the area was inhabited during the time of John the Baptist and Jesus,” Waheeb wrote, according to the Daily Mail.
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But perhaps the most striking evidence comes from Christians who traveled through the region more than 1,500 years ago.
The Daily Mail reports that the Pilgrim of Bordeaux(A.D. 333) and Theodosius (A.D. 530) both described the site of Christ’s baptism asabout five miles from where the Jordan enters the Dead Sea.
That description corresponds to the location of Al-Maghtas.
“From the site where the Lord was baptized, to the site where the river Jordan pours into the Dead Sea, there are five miles,” Theodosius wrote.
Then there is Scripture.
John 1:28 identifies “Bethany beyond the Jordan” as the place where John was baptizing. This was distinct from the Bethany near Jerusalem associated with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
“The results obtained are consistent with the accounts of ancient pilgrims, Madaba map, and Holy Scriptures,” Waheeb’s study states.
Archaeology cannot take us back in time to watch John lower Jesus into the waters of the Jordan. But stone by stone, record by record and mile by mile, the physical evidence points to the landscape described in the Bible.
The places of Scripture are real places. Nearly 2,000 years later, the ground may still tell their story.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
