Al-Maghtas

Al Maghtas ( ), meaning "baptism", or "immersion" in Arabic, is a place in Jordan on the Jordan River , located 10 kilometres southeast of Jericho . It is where most modern scholars and archaeologists believe the baptism of Jesus took place, corresponding with the directions given in Matthew 3:13–17 , Mark 1:9–11 , Luke 3:21–22 and John 1:28 . John 1:28 : These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptising . On the current site stands a 19th-century Greek Orthodox monastery. In 1994, UNESCO sponsored archaeological excavations in the area. In 2007, a documentary film entitled The Baptism of Jesus Christ - Uncovering Bethany Beyond the Jordan was made about it.

Archaeological site Al-Maghtas ( , ), meaning " baptism " or "immersion" in Arabic, is an archaeological World Heritage site in Jordan on the east bank of the Jordan River , officially known as Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas) . It is considered to be the original location of the Baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist and has been venerated as such since at least the Byzantine period. Following a suggestion by Origen , the baptism site of Jesus is sometimes also called Bethabara . The remnants of a monastery on a mound known as Jabal Mar-Elias ( Elijah 's Hill) and an area close to the river with remains of churches, baptism ponds and pilgrim and hermit dwellings. The two areas are connected by a stream called Wadi Kharrar. The strategic location between Jerusalem and the King's Highway is already evident from the Book of Joshua report about the Israelites crossing the Jordan there. Jabal Mar-Elias is traditionally identified as the site of the ascension of the prophet Elijah to heaven. The complete area was abandoned after the 1967 Six-Day War , when both banks of the Jordan became part of the frontline. The area was heavily mined then. After the signing of the Israel–Jordan peace treaty in 1994, de-mining of area soon took place after an initiative of Jordanian royalty, namely Prince Ghazi . The site has then seen several archaeological digs, four papal visits and state visits, and attracts tourists and pilgrimage activity. In 2015, the site was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO , excluding the western side of the river. Approximately 81,000 people visited the site in 2016, mostly European, American, and Arab tourists. Thousands flock to the site on January 6 to mark Epiphany . "Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas) – UNESCO World Heritage Centre" .

Archaeological site in Jordan "Bethabara" redirects here. Al-Maghtas ( Arabic : المغطس , al-Maġṭas, meaning ' baptism ' or ' immersion ' ), officially known as Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" , is an archaeological World Heritage Site in Jordan , on the east bank of the Jordan River , reputed to be the location of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and venerated as such since at least the Byzantine period. The place has also been referred to as Bethabara ( Hebrew : בית עברה ) and historically Bethany ( Beyond the Jordan ). Al-Maghtas includes two principal archaeological areas: the remnants of a monastery on a mound known as Jabal Mar-Elias ( Elijah 's Hill) and an area close to the river with remains of churches, baptism ponds and pilgrim and hermit dwellings. The two areas are connected by a stream called Wadi Kharrar. The strategic location between Jerusalem and the King's Highway is already evident from the Book of Joshua report about the Israelites crossing the Jordan there. Jabal Mar-Elias is traditionally identified as the site of the ascension of the prophet Elijah to heaven. The complete area was abandoned after the 1967 Six-Day War , when both banks of the Jordan became part of the frontline. The area was heavily mined then. After the signing of the Israel–Jordan peace treaty in 1994, de-mining of the area soon took place at the initiative of Jordanian Prince Ghazi . The site has since then seen several archaeological digs, visits by three Popes ( John Paul II , Benedict XVI , and Francis ) and by many heads of state, and attracts tourists and pilgrimage activity. In 2015, the site was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , excluding the western side of the river. Approximately 81,000 people visited the site in 2016, mostly European, American, and Arab tourists. Thousands flock to the site on January 6 to mark Epiphany . "Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas) – UNESCO World Heritage Centre" .