Having served in the Christian ministry as a pastor for a long time, I have heard the privilege of
baptizing people from time to time. Every time I prepare my sermon on baptism, I go back to
the scripture and focus on Jesus’s baptism to remind myself of some valuable lessons. The
baptism of Jesus was a core symbol and go-ahead in his ministry and is discussed in all the
gospel books in the New Testament. His baptism fulfilled a prophecy made in the Old
Testament and was actually a confirmation of the divinity of Jesus Christ, that he is the son of
God. I will share my understanding of the question, “where was Jesus baptized?”
In this article, I will be discussing what the Bible says regarding the exact location of Jesus’
baptism, where the River Jordan is located, and its significance. Join me as we delve into this
topic and discover where in River Jordan Jesus was baptized and what happened when Jesus
was baptized. Keep reading to learn the significance of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. Here
is more!
Does the Bible mention the exact location of Jesus’ baptism?
The Bible does mention the specific location where Jesus was baptized. Though not all gospel books mention the location, the book of Mark and Mathew do. Mark 1:8-10 says, “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in Jordan. And when he came out of the water, he immediately saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
The gospel of Mathew 3:13 also affirms that Jesus Christ was indeed baptized in River Jordan. “Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.”
Where is River Jordan located?
River Jordan is located in the East. It is a key geographical feature and an essential location in the history of Israel in the scripture. The Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have been coming from, is a day’s walk from River Jordan. The Sea of Galilee is also referred to as Lake Gennesaret. Luke 5:1, “So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the lake of Gennesaret.”
What was the significance of river Jordan?
The Jordan River holds a lot of significance; it was not only the place where Jesus was baptized but also where Joshua had to take over the Israelites. Moses died just before the Israelites crossed the Jordan river. The book of Joshua 1:1-3 notes that it was at River Jordan where God gave Joshua the authority to lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land and promised never to leave him.
Bible Scholars from Got Question Ministries note that River Jordan acted like a strategic site during a war in the Old Testament. The book of 1st Samuel 13 notes that King Saul and several of his troops perished at River Jordan. Judges 7:24-25 says that Israelites planned their war against the Midianites at River Jordan. 2nd Kings 2:1 also notes that it was at River Jordan where Elijah was taken to heaven using a whirlwind.
However, in the New Testament, River Jordan was essential in preparing people ahead of Jesus’ ministry. Luke 3:2-3 records John the Baptist going around the Jordan proclaiming the gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins. At River Jordan, we see the Trinity together (God the father, the son, and the Spirit), and God the Father proclaims his love and pleasure with the son.
Therefore, the River Jordan is very significant in the history of Christianity, and hence scholars believe that the Jordan River being the baptism place of Jesus Christ was no coincidence.
Where in the Jordan River was Jesus baptized?
The book of John says that Jesus Christ was baptized on the east side of River Jordan, where scholars argue it is Bethany. The book of John 1:28-31 notes that John the Baptist was baptizing people in Bethany across river Jordan when Jesus appeared to be baptized too.
However, the Bethany where Jesus was baptized should not be confused with the Bethan where Lazarus lived. Martha and Mary were in Bethany, which was not around the Jordan River but in the East of Jerusalem. John 11:1 says, “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”
What happened when Jesus was baptized?
All four gospels record what happened after the baptism of Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord came from heaven in the form of a dove and landed on Jesus, symbolizing that he is the Son of God. The book John 1:32-34 accounts for these happenings and notes that after the Spirit of God landed on Jesus, a voice from heaven was heard, and God made it public that Jesus was his son, whom he was greatly pleased with.
What was the significance of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River?
Scholars believe that the baptism of Jesus Christ was a core part of his ministry and had to happen. One significance of Jesus’ baptism is that his true nature was revealed to us. God affirmed that Jesus was his son during his baptism. Mathew 3:16-17 says, “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
