Jordan River

The principal river of ancient Israel, flowing from Mount Hermon southward through the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea—a journey of approximately 156 miles. The Jordan River marks Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, serves as the site of numerous biblical miracles, and most significantly, witnessed the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

Israel’s defining moment at the Jordan occurred when Joshua led them across to enter Canaan. As the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the flooded river, “the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap…and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off” (Joshua 3:15-16). The people crossed on dry ground—echoing the Red Sea crossing and demonstrating God’s continuing presence with the second generation. Twelve stones were taken from the riverbed as a perpetual memorial (Joshua 4:1-9).

The Jordan featured in several prophetic miracles. When Elijah struck the waters with his cloak, they parted so he and Elisha crossed on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8); Elisha repeated the miracle after receiving Elijah’s mantle (2 Kings 2:14). The Syrian commander Naaman initially scoffed at Elisha’s instruction to wash seven times in the Jordan to be healed of leprosy, protesting that Syrian rivers were superior. But when he obeyed in humility, “his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14)—demonstrating that healing comes through faithful obedience, not impressive ritual.

The Jordan’s greatest significance came when John the Baptist baptized at “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (John 1:28), calling Israel to repentance and announcing the coming Messiah. When Jesus came from Galilee requesting baptism, John protested his unworthiness. But Jesus insisted: “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). As Jesus emerged from the water, “the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17). This Trinitarian manifestation marked the inauguration of Jesus’ public ministry and affirmed his identity as the promised Messiah.