John 1:28

These things were done in Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Revision substitutes Bethany for Bethabara. Both terms are found in the manuscripts, but Bethany has the better authority. The Bethany named was not the one near Jerusalem, but. village, whose site is not now known, on the east bank of the Jordan. Bethany is said to mean "the house of the boat," and Bethabara "the house of the ford," both alike pointing to. ferry or ford of the Jordan. We have three allusions to the localities of John's baptismal rite, all showing that abundance of water was an essential; Matthew 3:5-6; Matthew 3:13; John 3:23, and the present passage.

The sending of this deputation is. proof of the great stir caused throughout Judea by the teaching of John. That he exerted. profound influence upon the nation and was accounted. prophet are evident from Jewish writers. Josephus,. Jewish priest and general,. contemporary of John and Christ, says (Antiquities, book 18, chap. 5): "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as. punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was. good man, and one who commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness toward one another, and piety toward God, and so to come to him for baptism; for that the washing with water would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away (or the remission) of some sins (only), but for the purification of the body: supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when (many) others came into crowds about him, for they were greatly moved by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence which John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise. rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he might advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not to bring himself into difficulties, by sparing. man who might make him to repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent. prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Machærus, the castle. have before mentioned, and put to death there."