The Jordan River
Serving as a natural boundary marker, the Jordan River flows north to south, winding over 223 miles (359 km) from Mt. Hermon through the Sea of Galilee into the Dead Sea. Only about 100 feet (30 meters) wide at its broadest point, and just over 17 feet (5 meters) at its deepest, it is a primary water source for an otherwise arid land. Explicitly referenced nearly 200 times in scripture, its biblical significance comes from major events occurring in, around, and through it.1 Naaman the Syrian was cleansed by God of leprosy by dipping seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:10-14). About nine centuries later, Jesus was baptized in the same river (Matt. 3:13-17).
John the baptizer, in preparing the way for Christ’s ministry, went “into all the surrounding region of the Jordan” (Luke 3:3), and multitudes went out to hear his preaching from “all the region around the Jordan” (Matt. 3:5-6; 11:7-10). John was “at first” baptizing in a particular place across the river (John 10:40)—within a couple of days’ walk from Bethany near Jerusalem (John 1:28; 10:40; 11:1, 6, 17)—but no single location can be identified as his only baptismal site.2 On at least one occasion he was immersing converts from the west side of the Jordan (John 3:23, 26). Jesus and his disciples also baptized masses of penitent believers in this general area (John 3:26; 4:1-3), as the Lord’s public ministry targeted both sides of the river.3
The Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee is also known as the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1; 21:1), in connection with the western coastal city of Tiberias (John 6:23), and the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), in connection with the northwestern coastal region of Gennesaret (Matt. 14:34; Mark 6:53). The latter designation is the Grecized form of Chinnereth, the ancient Hebrew name of this body of water, its western district, and city (Num. 34:11; Deut. 3:17; Josh. 19:35).
Fed primarily by the Jordan River and smaller streams, it is not really a “sea” (salt-water ocean) by modern conceptions but a fresh-water lake, second only to the Dead Sea as the lowest lake on earth, approximately 705 feet or 215 meters below sea level (notwithstanding declining water levels). About 8.1 miles (13 km) wide and 13 miles (21 km) in length, it covers an approximate area of 41,019 acres. Because of its location in a basin-like area of the Jordan Valley, it is subject to sudden and violent storms.
Fishing was a significant part of the Galilean economy in the first century AD, presumably the backdrop of the Lord’s parable of the dragnet (Matt. 13:47-48). The first four apostles were Galilean fishermen (Mark 1:16-20). Simon Peter owned a fishing boat, which Jesus used as a teaching platform (Luke 5:3), and throughout the Gospel narratives there are recurring references to “the boat,” suggesting a particular vessel readily available for the Lord’s use.4
Jesus and his disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee numerous times, and after Christ’s resurrection, when Simon Peter decided to go fishing, he and others “got into the boat ...” (John 21:3). This would not have been a very large vessel but a comparatively “small” or “little” boat (Mark 3:9; John 21:8). A first-century-AD fishing vessel was discovered in 1986 on the northwest shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, 27 feet (8.2 meters) long and 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) wide, capable of holding 13 people and affectionately called “the Jesus Boat.”
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| St. Peter's Fish |
Among the numerous species of fish in the Sea of Galilee, the tilapia was one of the main types caught in antiquity. Today it is nicknamed “St. Peter’s Fish” because it is believed to be the kind of fish Peter was instructed to catch to find a coin in its mouth for the temple tax (Matt. 17:24-27). Jesus ate fish with his disciples on more than one occasion (Luke 24:42; John 21:9-12) and performed at least two feeding miracles, providing enough fish to feed thousands.5
The supernatural acts Jesus performed on the Sea of Galilee included great catches of fish, calming storms, and walking on water.6 Much of his teaching was on the lake’s shores. Of its nine coastal cities (as reported by Josephus), not counting a number of unnamed locations, the biblical record explicitly identifies six that were reached and impacted by Christ’s ministry: Capernaum, Bethsaida, Gergesa, Gennesaret, Magdala, and Tiberias.7
The Mediterranean Sea
Among its many islands alluded to in scripture are Cyprus, Crete, Mytilene, Cos, Rhodes, Malta, and Sicily.9 Along its eastern shoreline were the ancient cities of Tyre, Sidon, Ptolemais, Joppa, Caesarea Maritima, Gaza, and Azotus (Ashdod).10 In carrying the gospel across the Mediterranean world, the apostle Paul and coworkers traversed the Sea multiple times, facing a number of dangers and near-death experiences.11
Reflections
Throughout history God has used water to do some amazing things to accomplish his will on earth, the most remarkable of which continues to this day. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus and the testimony of “the Spirit and the water and the blood” (1 John 5:8, ESV), forgiveness and redemption are still available through the same gospel message that spread across the first-century Mediterranean world. To all who receive it with penitent faith: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).12
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 E.g., Gen. 32:10; Josh. 3:17; 4:22-24; 2 Kings 2:7-14; 5:10-14; Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:26-34; 3:22-26; 4:1-3.
2 Farther north in the Galilee region seems to be excluded: note Matt. 3:13; 4:12; Mark 1:9, 14; Luke 4:14; John 1:43.
3 See K. L. Moore, “Beyond the Jordan: an Ethnogeographical Study,” Moore Perspective (9 June 2021), <Link>.
4 Mark 3:9; 4:1-2, 35-38; 5:2, 18, 21; 6:32, 45; 8:10, 14; also Matt. 8:23-24; 9:1; 13:1-2; 14:13, 22, 29, 32, 33; 15:39; Luke 8:22, 37; John 6:17, 24; 21:6. See K. L. Moore, “Leaving All to Follow Jesus,” Moore Perspective (16 Dec. 2012), <Link>.
5 Matt. 14:13-21; 15:32-39; Mark 6:31-44; 8:1-10; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14.
6 Matt. 8:23-27; 14:22-34; Mark 4:35-41; 6:45-53; Luke 5:1-11; 8:22-25; John 6:15-21; 21:1-14.
7 Matt 4:13; 15:39; Mark 5:1; 6:45, 53; John 6:23. Concerning the lakeside community of Gergesa, see K. L. Moore, “Geographical Confusion: the Land of Demon-Possessed Pigs?” Moore Perspective (6 July 2022), <Link>.
8 Gen. 49:13; Ex. 23:31; Num. 34:6; Deut. 11:24; 34:2; Josh. 1:4; 9:1; 15:12; 23:4; Ezek. 47:10; 48:28; Joel 2:20; Zech. 14:8.
9 Acts 20:6–21:14; 27:1–28:16; Tit. 1:5.
10 2 Chron. 2:16; Ezra 3:7; Josh. 11:22; Jonah 1:3; Matt. 15:21; Mark 3:8; 7:24; Acts 8:26-40; 9:36–10:48; 21:2-8.
11 Acts 9:30; 13:4-13, 26; 16:11; 17:14; 18:18-22; 20:3-6, 13-16; 21:1-16; 27:1–28:14; 2 Cor. 11:23-27.
12 For more biblical information, see K. L. Moore, “What Must I Do to be Saved?” Moore Perspective (30 Jan. 2015), <Link>.
Related Posts: Biblical Journey: Israel Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Jordan Part 1, Jordan Part 2, Palestinian West Bank
Image credits:
Jordan River, photo by Cassidy Chapman Wilkins
Sea of Galilee, photo by Kaitlyn Moore
St. Peter’s Fish, <https://www.catholicconvert.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1178.jpg>
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