John 1:28

The site of Jesus’ ministry was primarily west of the Jordan River. "Beyond the Jordan" then evidently refers to the east side of that river. The Bethany in view then would be a town different from the site of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ home (John 11:1), which was on the west side just east of Jerusalem. Perhaps John mentioned Bethany by name because its site was known when he wrote. It is unknown now. It may be significant that John recorded Jesus’ public ministry beginning at one Bethany and almost ending at the other (John 12:1-11). "Bethany" means "house of depression or misery." [Note: A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, s.v. "bethania," p. 100.]

John the Baptist fulfilled his mission of bearing witness to the Word first by publicly declaring his submission to Jesus’ authority. The veiled identity of Jesus as the Word continues from the prologue into this pericope.