Monday, July 1, 2024

Sidney B. Sperry on 1 Nephi 10:9, John 1:28, and the Location of the Baptism of Jesus

  

The first New Testament text I refer to is John, chapter 1, verse 28, where we find the reading "Bethabara" in the King James Version. John was baptizing in Bethabara. This reading does not agree with the views of modern critical scholars who prefer the reading "Bethany" as found in certain Greek texts. The question is, which is correct, "Bethabara" or "Bethany"? I have brought along a copy of Nestle's critical Greek text and he adopts the reading of "Bethany" and cites the textual evidence at the bottom of the page. Keep in mind that both readings have some justification, but which is correct?

 

Now in the Book of Mormon I cite 1 Nephi, chapter 10, verse 9, where we have this reading:

 

And my father said he [that is, John the Baptist] should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; (1 Nephi 10:9.)

 

The inspired Book of Mormon, you see, says that "Bethabara" is the correct reading and that our modern scholars are wrong in choosing the reading "Bethany." Origen, early Christian New Testament critic, said that he town down to Palestine and could not find a Bethany near Jordan. He was aware that even then there were documents having the reading of "Bethany." but "Bethabara" is the correct reading according to the Book of Mormon. (Sidney B. Sperry, "The Book of Mormon and Textual Criticism," Book of Mormon Institute, December 5, 1959, ed. Dee F. Green [Provo, Utah: Book of Mormon Institute, 1964], 6)