John 1:28

These things happened in Bethany ¹  across the Jordan River ²  where John was baptizing.

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

This incident took place at Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing at the time.

These things took place at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was giving baptism.

This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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

These things happened in Bethany ¹  across the Jordan River ²  where John was baptizing.

¹ tc Many witnesses ([א²] C² K T Ψ^c 083 Ë^1,13 33 pm sa Or) read Βηθαβαρᾷ (Bhqabara, “Bethabara”) instead of Βηθανίᾳ (Bhqania, “Bethany”). But the reading Βηθανίᾳ is strongly supported by {Ì^66,75 A B C* L W^s Δ Θ Ψ* 565 579 700 1241 1424 pm latt bo as well as several fathers}. Since there is no known Bethany “beyond the Jordan,” it is likely that the name would have been changed to a more etymologically edifying one (Origen mistakenly thought the name Bethabara meant “house of preparation” and for this reason was appropriate in this context; see TCGNT 171 for discussion). On the other hand, both since Origen’s understanding of the Semitic etymology of Bethabara was incorrect, and because Bethany was at least a well-known location in Palestine, mentioned in the Gospels about a dozen times, one has to wonder whether scribes replaced Βηθαβαρᾷ with Βηθανίᾳ. However, if Origen’s understanding of the etymology of the name was representative, scribes may have altered the text in the direction of Bethabara. And even if most scribes were unfamiliar with what the name might signify, that a reading which did not contradict the Gospels’ statements of a Bethany near Jerusalem was already at hand may have been sufficient reason for them to adopt Bethabara. Further, in light of the very strong testimony for Βηθανίᾳ, this reading should be regarded as authentic.

² tn “River” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity.