The Herodion, Jordan River, Jericho and Qumran

Site Visit to Qumran

The day began at the Herodion, the final resting place of Herod the Great.  This hilltop fortress southeast of Bethlehem has received renewed attention lately with the discovery of Herod the Great's tomb.

From here, we traveled to the Jordan River and visited Qasar el-Yahud, the baptismal site.  Hundreds of persons from all over the world were gathered today to either be baptized or to renew their baptism.  What a sight to see them marching toward the river.

Later we visited Tel Jericho and had lunch after visiting the Old Testament site.  Our final stop before floating in the Dead Sea was Qumran.  Mark Cannon led the group in a consideration of purity practices and teachings of the Essenes, especially in contrast to Jesus' ministry.