All this happened at Bethany beyond the JordanBethany beyond the Jordan is a significant location in the New Testament, distinct from the more commonly known Bethany near Jerusalem. This site is traditionally identified as the place where John the Baptist conducted his ministry of baptism. The geographical reference to "beyond the Jordan" indicates a location on the eastern side of the Jordan River, which is in present-day Jordan. This area is rich in biblical history, as it is near where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land (
Joshua 3:14-17). The choice of this location for John's baptizing work is symbolic, as it represents a new beginning and a call to repentance, paralleling the Israelites' entry into a new life in the Promised Land. The site is also associated with Elijah, who was taken up to heaven nearby (
2 Kings 2:8-11), and this connection underscores John's role as a prophetic figure in the spirit of Elijah (
Malachi 4:5-6;
Matthew 11:14).
where John was baptizing
John the Baptist's ministry of baptism was a call to repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. Baptism, as practiced by John, was a symbolic act of purification and a public declaration of repentance. It was distinct from the Jewish ritual washings, which were more about ceremonial cleanliness. John's baptism was a radical call to moral and spiritual renewal, preparing the way for Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:3;Matthew 3:3). The act of baptizing in the Jordan River also evokes the imagery of cleansing and renewal, as the river was a boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. John's role as the forerunner to Christ is emphasized by his baptizing work, which set the stage for Jesus' own baptism and the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17). John's message and baptism were a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and a type of the greater baptism that Jesus would bring through the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8;Acts 1:5).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
John the BaptistA pivotal figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He is known for his call to repentance and for baptizing Jesus.
2.
Bethany beyond the JordanThis location is significant as the place where John the Baptist conducted his ministry of baptism. It is distinct from the Bethany near Jerusalem and is situated on the eastern side of the Jordan River.
3.
BaptismAn important event in the New Testament, baptism by John symbolized repentance and the washing away of sins. It was a precursor to the Christian practice of baptism in the name of Jesus.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Location in MinistryBethany beyond the Jordan was not just a geographical location but a place of spiritual significance where God’s work was being prepared and fulfilled. Consider the places God has called you to serve and their significance in His plan.
The Role of Preparation in God’s PlanJohn the Baptist’s ministry was about preparing the way for Jesus. Reflect on how God might be using you to prepare the way for His work in the lives of others.
Repentance as a Foundation for FaithJohn’s call to repentance is foundational for a relationship with God. Evaluate areas in your life where repentance is needed to align more closely with God’s will.
The Significance of BaptismBaptism is a public declaration of faith and repentance. Consider the meaning of your own baptism or the decision to be baptized as a step of obedience and faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 1:28?
2.How does John 1:28 emphasize the importance of location in Jesus' ministry?
3.Why was Bethany beyond the Jordan significant for John the Baptist's mission?
4.How does John 1:28 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
5.What can we learn from John's obedience in John 1:28 for our lives?
6.How does understanding John 1:28 enhance our appreciation of Jesus' early ministry?
7.Why does John 1:28 mention Bethany instead of Bethabara in some Bible translations?
8.How does the location in John 1:28 impact the historical accuracy of the Gospel?
9.What archaeological evidence supports the location mentioned in John 1:28?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 1?
11.What is the significance of John's baptism in Bethabara?
12.In what location was Jesus baptized?
13.What is the significance of John's baptism in Bethabara?
14.What is the order of Jesus' disciples' calling?What Does John 1:28 Mean
All this happenedJohn is describing real, datable events, not storytelling. In the flow of the chapter, priests and Levites have just questioned John the Baptist about his identity (John 1:19-27). The phrase underlines that the conversation, the testimony, and everything surrounding it truly occurred. Scripture repeatedly stresses the eyewitness nature of these reports—“what we have seen and heard” (1 John 1:1), and “we did not follow cleverly devised tales” (2 Peter 1:16). Luke gives similar historical anchors when he lists leaders inLuke 3:1-2. By opening with “All this happened,” John stakes his claim on verifiable history and invites us to trust the narrative (John 19:35).
at BethanyThe Bethany mentioned here is not the village near Jerusalem where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived (John 11:1). This Bethany lay in the wilderness region—quiet, removed from the religious center—so crowds had to leave their comfort zones to hear God’s messenger. Such a setting reminds us that God often speaks away from the noise: Elijah heard Him on Horeb (1 Kings 19:11-13), and Israel met Him in the desert (Exodus 19:1-6). The two Bethanys highlight how carefully the Gospel writers locate events; John later names the other Bethany when recording Lazarus’s resurrection (John 11:18), showing he knew the distinction.
beyond the Jordan“Beyond” points to the east side of the river, the region where Israel once camped before crossing into the Promised Land (Joshua 3-4). That backdrop carries rich symbolism:
• Israel crossed the Jordan to begin a new life; John calls people across the river to a fresh start through repentance.
• Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan before Elijah was taken up (2 Kings 2:6-13); John ministers in the same area while preparing people for the One who would ascend and send the Spirit (John 3:13, 31-34).
• The wilderness recallsIsaiah 40:3—“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’”Matthew 3:1-3 andMark 1:3 apply that prophecy to John’s ministry, underscoring that the location fulfills Scripture.
John later returns “again to the place where John had first been baptizing, across the Jordan” (John 10:40), confirming the site’s significance as a recurring gathering point when people seek truth apart from the establishment.
where John was baptizingJohn’s baptism marked repentance and anticipation of Messiah (Matthew 3:5-6;Luke 3:3-6). Standing in the water, he preached the necessity of turning from sin and pointed forward to Christ’s superior work—“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8). By situating baptism outside Jerusalem, John signaled that cleansing is granted by God, not by temple rituals (Acts 13:24). Crowds who submitted to the rite acknowledged their need; the same humility opens hearts to Jesus, whom John introduced the very next day: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Later, Paul encounters disciples who had only known “John’s baptism” and brings them to full faith in Jesus (Acts 19:3-5), showing that John’s act was preparatory, not complete in itself.
summaryJohn 1:28 grounds the Gospel story in time and space—real events (“All this happened”), a specific locale (“at Bethany”), a symbolic setting (“beyond the Jordan”), and a purposeful activity (“where John was baptizing”). Every element directs our attention to God’s faithful unfolding plan: He raises a prophet in the wilderness, calls people to repentance, and positions everything so the Lamb of God can be clearly seen. The verse invites us to trust Scripture’s historical accuracy and, more importantly, to follow the path John points out—turn from sin and look to Christ for the true baptism of the Spirit and the new life only He provides.
(28)
Bethabara beyond Jordan should be,
Bethany beyond Jordan. Origen found "Bethany" in "almost all the copies," but not being able to find the place, he came to the conclusion that it must be Bethabara which he heard of, with a local tradition that John had baptised there; and in this he is followed by the Fathers generally. In support of this the etymology of Bethabara (= "ford-house") is compared with a possible meaning of Bethany (= "ship-house"), and the two are regarded as popular names of some well-known ford, one of which gradually ceased to be known as the name of this place, because it became appropriated as a name of the Bethany made prominent in the closing scenes of our Lord's life. On the other hand, it is believed that this argument from etymology is at least precarious; that ignorance of the place after three hundred years--and these years of war and unsettlement--is not unnatural; that the tradition in favour of Bethabara, which was then a favourite place for baptism, is one likely to have grown with this fact; and that we are not justified in adopting the critical decision of Origen, who rejected the almost unanimous evidence of MSS. in favour of this tradition at second hand. We are, moreover, ignorant of the site of Bethabara, and the identification with either Beth-barah (
Judges 7:24), or Beth-nimrah (
Numbers 32:36;
Joshua 13:27), which in some readings of the LXX. had taken the forms
Bethabra and
Betharaba, gives a position much too far to the south, for the writer is clearly speaking of a place within easy approach of Galilee (
John 1:43 and
John 2:1), and he is careful to note the succession of days and even hours. It is not inconsistent with this that the narrative in
Matthew 3:5 and
Mark 1:5 seems to require a place of easy access from Jerusalem, for the positions are not necessarily the same, and the account there is of a general impression, while here we have the minute details of an eye-witness. Himself a disciple of John, he remembers the place where he was then dwelling and baptising, and he knows that this Bethany is "beyond Jordan," just as he knows that the other is "the town of Mary and her sister Martha" (
John 11:1), and that it "was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off (
John 11:18). Dr. Caspari believes that a "Bethany" answering the demands of the context is to be found in the village
Tellanije or
Tellanihje, which is in the Iolan to the north of the Sea of Galilee (comp.
John 10:40). It is near a ford of the Jordan, with several brooks intervening. The identity of name depends upon the frequent substitution by the Arabs of "Tell" (= "hill") for "Beth" (="house"), so that the present word represents Beth-anije, or Bethany. Dr. Caspari's statement is now accessible to the English reader. Few, perhaps, will fully accept the author's opinion, "With regard to the accuracy of our conclusion respecting the site, there can, therefore, be no doubt" (
Chron. and Geogr., Introd., p. 93), but it is based upon a reading of which there can be no doubt, and is, at least, a probable interpretation. . . .
Verse 28. -
These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John wasbaptizing. The fact that John the Baptist, in the previous verses, recognizes the Messiah, and that in vers. 31-33 he declares that knowledge to have followed the baptism and the sign then given to him, makes it obvious that the baptism and the forty days of the temptation are now in the past. Every day is clearly marked from the day on which the deputation from the Sanhedrin approached him, till we find Jesus at Cana, on his way to Jerusalem. Consequently, the baptism of Christ, which was the occasion of the higher knowledge that John acquired concerning him, as well as the temptation, had been consummated. Of this last it would seem highly probable John had received, in subsequent conversation with the Lord, a full report. The Lord had passed through the fiery ordeal. He had accepted the position of the Servant of the Lord, who, in the way of privation, suffering, fierce antagonism from world, flesh, and devil, would win the crown of victory and prove himself to be the Life and Light of the world. This chronological hint appears to me to explain the sudden and surprising utterance of the next verse.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
All thisΤαῦτα(Tauta)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.happenedἐγένετο(egeneto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.atἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.BethanyΒηθανίᾳ(Bēthania)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 963:Of Chaldee origin; date-house; Beth-any, a place in Palestine.beyondπέραν(peran)Preposition
Strong's 4008:Over, on the other side, beyond. Apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro; through, i.e. Across.theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Jordan,Ἰορδάνου(Iordanou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2446:Of Hebrew origin; the Jordanes, a river of Palestine.whereὅπου(hopou)Adverb
Strong's 3699:Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.JohnἸωάννης(Iōannēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491:Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.wasἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.baptizing.βαπτίζων(baptizōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 907:Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.
Links
John 1:28 NIVJohn 1:28 NLTJohn 1:28 ESVJohn 1:28 NASBJohn 1:28 KJV
John 1:28 BibleApps.comJohn 1:28 Biblia ParalelaJohn 1:28 Chinese BibleJohn 1:28 French BibleJohn 1:28 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: John 1:28 These things were done in Bethany beyond (Jhn Jo Jn) 
