What Is the Jordan River?
What Is the Jordan River? The Jordan River is the river in which Jesus was baptized, where Israel crossed into the Promised Land, and where Elisha performed miracles.
Key verse: Joshua 3:17 (KJV)
The Jordan River is the river in which Jesus was baptized, where Israel crossed into the Promised Land, and where Elisha performed miracles.
The Jordan River is the river in which Jesus was baptized, where Israel crossed into the Promised Land, and where Elisha performed miracles.
"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." — Joshua 3:17 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
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The Biblical Answer
The Jordan River flows from the slopes of Mount Hermon through the Sea of Galilee and down to the Dead Sea, forming a natural border of the Promised Land. It runs through some of the most significant events in Scripture. Joshua led Israel across the Jordan on dry ground into Canaan. Elijah and Elisha crossed at the same spot before Elijah's fiery ascension. Naaman the Syrian was healed of leprosy by dipping seven times in the Jordan. Most significantly, John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove while the Father's voice declared, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' The Jordan thus represents the boundary between wilderness and promise, between old life and new, and the place where God meets His people in judgment and grace.
Key Scripture References
"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
"Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who was John the Baptist?
John the Baptist was the prophetic forerunner of Jesus who prepared the way for Christ's ministry by preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River.
What Is the Meaning of Baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith — a public declaration of identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Who Was Joshua?
Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, conquering Canaan through faith and obedience to God's commands.
What Is the Significance of the Mount of Olives?
The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem deeply tied to Jesus' final week, His ascension, and His promised return.
What Is Gethsemane?
Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony the night before His crucifixion and was betrayed by Judas.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Joshua. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Joshua on day 58 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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