Al Maghtas

Al Maghtas (Arabic: المغطس‎), 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,[1] 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. Pope John Paul II visited the site in March 2000 and Pope Benedict XVI visited in May 2009. In 2007, a documentary film entitled The Baptism of Jesus Christ - Uncovering Bethany Beyond the Jordan was made about it.[2]

References

  1. ^ Staff writers (28 July 2011). "Israel will reopen (Israeli) site of the baptism of Jesus". AsiaNews.it. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Israel-will-reopen-%28Israeli%29-site-of-the-baptism-of-Jesus-22218.html. Retrieved 2011-07-31. 
  2. ^ "Baptism of Jesus Christ film". Ten Thousand Films. http://www.tenthousandfilms.com/Baptism-of-Christ-film.html. Retrieved 2011-07-31.