Most travelers who choose to spend time in the country are in awe of its diversity and staggering beauty, and ultimately leave feeling touched by the generosity and kindness of its people. From stunning natural landscapes to world-renowned historical and religious sites, Jordan is truly a hidden gem of the Middle East. In addition, Jordan is full of places important to Christianity. Its biblical history spans from the Book of Genesis to the New Testament. This land east of the Jordan River was called “Perea” by the Greeks, which meant the “territory beyond.” It includes most of the cities of the Decapolis. Here, Jesus taught multitudes, performed miracles and cast out demons, as he traveled back and forth between east and west, proclaiming His message. The capital city of Amman (ancient Philadelphia, a Decapolis city), is a thriving metropolis of old and new, and is often the first stop for visitors to Jordan – the eastern part of the Holy Land.
Many say that your biblical experience is not complete without visiting Jordan. Here are seven sites of biblical significance.
Mount Nebo
Image courtesy of Jordan Tourism
Mount Nebo
Deuteronomy 34:1 says, “Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho.” After 40 years leading the headstrong Israelites in the desert, Moses stood on the widespread summit of Mount Nebo and viewed the Promised Land of Canaan – after having been told by God “you shall not cross over there.” The mountain has long been a site of pilgrimage for Christians from around the world. It first became a place of pilgrimage for early Christians, and a small church was built there in the 4th century to commemorate the end of Moses’ life. Mount Nebo is now in western Jordan, and is tended by the Custody of the Holy Land (Franciscan missionaries). Today, pilgrims can visit and worship in the newly restored Memorial of Moses, which houses splendid remains of mosaics from earlier churches. Those who visit the mountain’s summit – easily accessible by bus and car - are well rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Jordan River, Dead Sea, Bethlehem and various other sites, just as Moses would have all those centuries ago.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
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Bethany Beyond the Jordan
The UNESCO World Heritage Site on the River Jordan where Jesus was baptized by John, according to the Gospel of John 1:26-28. Sometimes referenced in the Old Testament as Bethabara, it also appears on the Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba, helping to confirm its location. Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the east bank of the Jordan River has been authenticated by all major Christian denominations, and has even been visited by the last three Popes. After the Jordan-Israel peace treaty was signed in 1996, landmines were removed and excavations revealed a 3rd century building with fine mosaics, as well as a 5th century monastery. Many pilgrims come to this “Wilderness of John” for their own baptism, given its profound significance to the Christian faith.
Umm Qais
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Umm Qais
The Bible tells us, “They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town” (Luke 8:26-27). Modern-day Umm Qais is the old Decapolis city of Gadara. The city that overlooks the Sea of Galilee is the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Gadarene swine, casting spirits out of two demented men and into a herd of pigs, which then ran into the sea and drowned. The structures of the city are a combination of Ancient Greco-Roman ruins intertwined with houses of an Ottoman village that were built using black basalt stone, giving the city an exclusive feel. The town boasts gorgeous views with its flowering fields and forested hills that give way to the cliffs overlooking the sweeping panorama of the ancient Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias).
The Dead Sea
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The Dead Sea
As the lowest point on the earth’s surface, the Dead Sea is a fascinating natural phenomena. Straddling the border between Israel and Jordan, the mineral content on this 75km-long and 10km-wide saltwater lake is 33 percent, which is about six times as salty as a normal oceans. The incredibly high salt content means the Dead Sea is extremely buoyant, making it impossible to sink or swim in. Given this, you can only bob around in the water. It is called the Dead Sea for a reason. Nothing can live in it – there are no fish, seaweed or plants of any kind in or around the water. What you’ll see on the shore are clusters of white sea salts. Many believe that these salts have curative powers and therapeutic qualities, and so the Dead Sea is a great place to try out a spot of pampering in the local spas. Many biblical locations are a short drive from the Dead Sea, including Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, Mount Nebo and Mukawir, the fortress where John the Baptist was imprisoned and martyred.
Tel Mar Elias
Nickfraser / English language Wikipedia
Tel Mar Elias
Also known as Khirbet al Wahadneh, located a few kilometers away from the Zarqa River, Tel Mar Elias is believed to be the birthplace of the prophet Elijah, a native of Gilead in Trans Jordan. Elijah emerges from the Trans Jordan about a century after the time of David and Solomon. The site has since been identified as the ancient town of Listib, the site first inhabited in the Roman and Byzantine periods. It is an ancient site of pilgrimage and has one of the largest Byzantine churches in Jordan, with a series of tombs beneath and colorful mosaic floors.
Jerash
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Jerash
Jerash, another city of the Decapolis, is known for the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, also referred to as Antioch on the Golden River. It is sometimes misleadingly referred to as the “Pompeii of the Middle East,” referring to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation, though Jerash was never buried by a volcano. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, the town boasts a hippodrome, an old sports field that once held 15,000 spectators and a stunning amphitheater with amazing amplification capabilities.
Aqaba
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Aqaba
A laid-back resort situated on the top of the Red Sea on the Gulf of Aqaba, it is Jordan’s only gateway to the sea. The area is renowned for its pristine sandy beaches, clear waters and colorful reefs studded with marine life. It is a great place for watersports such as waterskiing, parasailing, jet-skiing and fishing and it’s an ideal spot for relaxation. Historically, Aqaba boasts sites dating back to 4,000 BC, including the recent discovery of what may be the oldest church dating from the 3rd century AD, the remains of the medieval walled city of Ayla and a Mamluk fort.
As Christians, we often hear about biblical places and stories of Jesus’ life, but have no real context because we’ve never traveled to those places. Traveling to places like Jordan is a journey of a lifetime, particularly for any Christian looking to walk where Jesus walked. This will be a life-changing experience that you will never forget.
