Qasr el Yahud
Encyclopedia
Qasr el Yahud or Kasser Al Yahud (Arabic language
: , lit. the Castle of the Jews) is baptism site in the Jordan River Valley in the West Bank
, presently administered by Israel
. It is the traditional spot where the New Testament
narrative of the baptism of Jesus
took place (Matthew, 3: 13-17). The site includes marble steps that descend into the Jordan River as well as ruins of Byzantine
and Crusader
churches.
The site is administered by the Israeli Civil Administration
and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: , lit. the Castle of the Jews) is baptism site in the Jordan River Valley in the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, presently administered by Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. It is the traditional spot where the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
narrative of the baptism of Jesus
Baptism of Jesus
The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of Jesus Christ's public ministry. This event is recorded in the Canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In John 1:29-33 rather than a direct narrative, the Baptist bears witness to the episode...
took place (Matthew, 3: 13-17). The site includes marble steps that descend into the Jordan River as well as ruins of Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
and Crusader
Crusader
- Military :* Crusader, a participant in one of the Crusades* Crusader states, states set up by the Europeans in the Middle East during The Crusades* Crusader tank, a British cruiser tank of World War II* HMS Crusader, three British naval ships...
churches.
The site is administered by the Israeli Civil Administration
Israeli Civil Administration
The Civil Administration , is the Israeli governing body that operates in Judea and Samaria. It was established by the government of Israel in 1981, in order to carry out practical bureaucratic functions within the territories conquered in 1967...
and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.