New Testament Times at the Baptism Site
John the Baptist – a voice crying in the wilderness
The Gospels tell us that Jesus was baptised by John in the River Jordan at a place called Bethany beyond the Jordan.
John lived in a humble cave, drank from a stream flowing on pebbles into the Jordan, baptized believers, and awaited the Messiah. He dressed in a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, his food was locusts and wild honey.
John chose to live a simple life in a sacred place, the wilderness near the hill from which the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven. This was an important place because it is where the Prophet Elijah passed the gift of prophecy to his disciple Elisha. John came to this place purposely so that he could carry out his prophecy in the spirit and strength of Elijah.
Jesus comes to be Baptised (about 30 AD)
When he was about 30, Jesus left Nazareth and walked until he reached Bethany beyond the Jordan. Here he went to John for baptism. When Jesus asked John to baptise him John was perplexed. John did not feel worthy enough to baptise Jesus saying, “I am the one that needs you to baptize me!” But upon Jesus’ continued insistence, John gave in and baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.
As Jesus was coming out of the water, he saw the heavens open up and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. He heard a voice from above say, “You are my beloved son with whom I am well-pleased.”
Jesus gathers the first Apostles
A few days later Jesus came back to Bethany beyond the Jordan, He found John sitting with two of his students. When John saw Jesus he said to his students, “This is the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world.”
Hearing this, the two students decided to follow Jesus and were in turn followed by three others, among them Simon who Jesus renamed Peter.
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