Bethabara
Qasr el Yahud
About Bethabara (Qasr el Yahud)
Pilgrims come to Bethabara (Qasr el Yahud) because this is the traditional site where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist on the Jordan River. Qasr el Yahud means “Castle of the Jews” in ancient Arabic, referencing to the castle-like appearance of the Greek Orthodox Church of St John the Baptist overlooking the Jordan River.
Biblical Events
Here, according to Jewish tradition, the children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land with Joshua, following the Ark of the Covenant over the dry riverbed as the waters ceased to flow. Here also, according to tradition, Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot of fires and Elisha performed miracles.
Qasr el Yahud History
It was inaccessible for decades after the Six Day War. Israel seeded the area with landmines and set booby traps inside the church buildings, fearing terrorists could use the churches as a staging ground for attacks on Israeli settlements. The site was reopened in 2011.
Qasr el Yahud Today
It is a national park, free from landmines and teeming with tourists and Christian pilgrims. Just a few feet across the river lies the Jordanian site of baptism. The only thing that separates Israel from Jordan here is a little string with floats on it.
Interesting Facts
- The Jordan River is the physical boundary between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
- In the Bible, there are two different names for the baptismal site of Jesus – Bethany Beyond the Jordan (John 1:27-29, NKJV) and Bethabara (John 1:27-29, NIV).
- In 2015, UNESCO has declared Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas) a World Heritage site, identifying present-day Jordan as the location where Jesus’ baptism is believed to have taken place.
