John 1:28 – This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Extended Explanation of the Verse

John 1:28 serves as a geographical marker, telling us where John the Baptist was carrying out his ministry. The verse follows John’s declaration that he is not the Messiah but merely a servant preparing the way for Him. The mention of Bethany on the other side of the Jordan is significant because it identifies the place where John was baptizing people and preaching repentance.

The location is important for two reasons. First, it connects John’s ministry with God’s work in Israel’s history. The Jordan River was a major landmark where important biblical events took place. Second, it sets the stage for what happens next—John will soon point directly to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.”

This verse may seem like a simple historical note, but it helps confirm that John’s Gospel is based on real events that took place in specific locations.

Historical Context

The Jordan River held great symbolic meaning for the Jewish people. It was the place where the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, crossed into the Promised Land after leaving the wilderness (Joshua 3:14-17). It was also the place where the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:6-11). By baptizing at the Jordan, John was calling the people of Israel to a fresh start with God—a new spiritual crossing, preparing them for the Messiah.

The mention of Bethany on the other side of the Jordan is a bit confusing because there is another Bethany near Jerusalem, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived (John 11:1). This Bethany, however, was east of the Jordan River, possibly in modern-day Jordan. Some ancient manuscripts refer to it as “Bethabara,” meaning “house of the crossing,” which might refer to a place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land.

John the Baptist’s location away from Jerusalem also carries meaning. Instead of preaching at the Temple, where religious leaders controlled the message, John was in the wilderness, calling people to repentance and preparing them for the coming of Jesus.

Theological Implications

This verse may seem like a simple geographical note, but it carries deeper meaning:

1. God’s Work Happens in Unexpected Places – The fact that John was baptizing in the wilderness rather than in the Temple or in Jerusalem reminds us that God often works outside of human expectations. People had to leave the city and religious institutions to hear John’s message and prepare for Jesus.
2. The Jordan River as a Symbol of Renewal – Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, John was calling the people to cross from their old lives of sin into a new life of repentance and readiness for the Messiah. This foreshadows how Jesus will later transform baptism, making it a sign of dying to sin and being raised to new life in Him.
3. The Humility of John’s Ministry – Instead of seeking recognition in religious or political centers, John was baptizing in a remote location, emphasizing that true spiritual change happens in the heart, not through outward religious rituals.

Literary Analysis

This verse serves as a transition, setting up the events that follow. The previous verses focused on John the Baptist’s identity and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Now, the Gospel writer shifts attention to the setting, subtly preparing the reader for Jesus’ introduction in the next verses.

The phrase “on the other side of the Jordan” is important because it signals that John’s ministry was happening outside the mainstream religious institutions. By baptizing here, John was making a clear break from the religious system of Jerusalem and calling people back to a more authentic relationship with God.

Biblical Cross-References

• Joshua 3:14-17 – The Israelites cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
• 2 Kings 2:6-11 – Elijah is taken up to heaven near the Jordan River, an event that connects to John coming “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).
• Matthew 3:1-6 – A parallel account of John’s baptizing ministry in the wilderness.
• John 10:40 – Later, Jesus returns to the place where John had been baptizing, reinforcing its significance.
• Romans 6:3-4 – Baptism as a symbol of dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

John 1:28 reminds us that God often works in places and ways we don’t expect. The religious leaders of the time were focused on Jerusalem and the Temple, but God was working in the wilderness, calling people to repentance. This challenges believers today to be open to how God might be working in their lives, even in unexpected places.

It also emphasizes the importance of true repentance. John’s baptism wasn’t about religious ritual but about preparing hearts for Jesus. In the same way, today’s Christians must ensure that their faith is more than just outward practices—it must be a genuine, heart-changing relationship with Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in how He provides clear opportunities for people to turn back to Him. By sending John the Baptist, God was preparing people for Jesus, making sure they had every opportunity to be ready for salvation. This shows His patience and desire for all people to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

God’s love is also seen in the fact that He doesn’t require people to come to Him in a specific religious setting. The people had to leave the city and go to the wilderness to hear John, symbolizing that God meets people where they are, no matter how far they’ve wandered.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

John’s baptism ministry was all about preparing the way for Jesus. The location, the Jordan River, and the call to repentance all pointed forward to the work that Jesus would do. Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter the Promised Land, Jesus would later bring people into the true “Promised Land” of salvation through His death and resurrection.

Jesus would also take baptism to a whole new level. John’s baptism was symbolic of repentance, but Jesus would later command baptism as a sign of faith and new life in Him (Matthew 28:19-20).

This verse also foreshadows Jesus’ own baptism, which would take place in the same region. When Jesus comes to be baptized by John, it marks the beginning of His public ministry and affirms His identity as the Son of God (John 1:29-34).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think God chose the Jordan River as the place where John would baptize and prepare the way for Jesus?
2. How does John’s choice to preach in the wilderness instead of Jerusalem challenge our ideas about where and how God works?
3. Are there areas in your life where God is calling you to repent and prepare your heart for a deeper relationship with Him?
4. How does the symbolism of crossing the Jordan apply to your spiritual journey?
5. What can you learn from John’s example about humility and being faithful to God’s calling, even in unexpected places?

John 1:28 may seem like a simple location reference, but it carries deep meaning. It reminds us that God prepares the way for Jesus, calls people to repentance, and works in unexpected ways. It also points to Jesus as the one who would soon arrive and transform the meaning of baptism, bringing salvation to all who believe in Him.