John the Baptist Known (and less Known) Baptism Sites

Titled by some as the “Last prophet, and the first Saint,” John son of Zachariah preached in first century Judea about the coming of the Messiah. He operated mostly in the Judean desert, wearing a cloak made of camel hair, and eating mostly locust. John argued for immersing the body in fresh water in order to accept “the annointed one” (the Christ). It became known as Baptism. Soon after, John became known as “John the Baptist“. This special private tour will take you to two sites where the gospels recorded John operating baptizing people. The first is quite known, by Jericho. The second is almost a secret location, known only to a few scholars and adventurers. 

Visit the Baptism Site by Jericho

All the gospels record John the Baptist cpnducting baptisms at the Jordan River. It is also where he baptized Jesus, revealing his Messianic role. Unfortunately, none of the gospels provide enough details of where exactly along the Jordan River it happened. Nevertheless, the texts hint that it was close to Jericho. Since the 4^th century Christian pilgrims have venerated a specific spot east of Jericho as the baptism site. It is said to be also where the Israelite crossed into the Promised Land, and where Elijah ascended in a storm to the heavens. Visiting the site, it is not rare to see excited groups of Christian pilgrims baptizing at this site today. But is this really the spot? Most of the year the heat here is intense. The west bank of the river is a shadeless, harsh territory. Yet the east bank of the Jordan river bears a few small springs and caves that have shade and greenery. Furthermore, the site is just a few hours walk from Qumran. Around this site hundreds of manuscripts were found in the 1950s. Known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, these documents record a group that had many beliefs similar to those of John the Baptist. Being so, it is tempting to suggest John the Baptist was a member of this community for a while. However, when he argued for the rite of baptism, he moved and settled near a source of freshwater.

Tour Beit-Shean

Time permitting, we could also include a tour and lunch in a Kibbutz nearby, as well as visit Beit-Shean. Although not mentioned by name in the New Testament, it is quite possible that Jesus visited this city as well. The gospels do record Jesus visiting the cities of the Decapolis. Beit-Shean was a member of the Decapolis.  Furthermore, Jesus passed several times through the Jordan Valley, to reach the baptism site, and later to visit Jerusalem. It is very likely that he passed through this city as well.