Baptismal Site of Jesus

JORDAN RIVER

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[c] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-16

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from[d] the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:29-34

The location mentioned in this website is tradionally the actual place of the baptism of Jesus Christ. There are other places along the Jordan River that have easier facilities to use for pilgrims to swim in the Jordan but they are not considered the authentic location. Across the river are recently build monasteries as for years the Orthodox were not allowed to build any infrastructure on the Israel side of the Jordan in this location (this is also the reason for the other facilities located in difference sections of the Jordan River).

Map Link: HERE

The actual baptism site on the Feast Day of Theophany where the Patriarch of Jerusalem blesses the water. It is very difficult to get down to the river to watch closely as it is always overcrowded.

This is the other site on the Jordan River which is more swimmer friendly but not the actual baptism site.

Sign on the corner of the road leading down to the Jordan River. There is a checkpoint located down the road where you can be asked for passports.

In this video you can clearly see the Blessing of the Waters ceremony performed on the Jordan by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

This video shows an annual recurring miracle on the Feast Day of Theophany where the Jordan reverses its flow. Although it happens every year, you must be in a good spot to be able to see it.