As pilgrims mark Epiphany, Jordan plans an ambitious project to upgrade place of Jesus's baptism.
Today the River Jordan lacks its biblical proportions, but some 200,000 visitors still flock to the traditional spot for Christian baptisms in Jordan in a typical year.
Recently, Jordan announced an ambitious $100m plan aimed at drawing a million Christians to al-Maghtas in 2030, to commemorate what is seen as the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus's baptism. Among the many features he points out is a native plant popular with bees, called yanbout or locust pod, reminding me that the Bible describes St John dressed in his camel-hair garments, eating "locusts and wild honey".
The rich and famous have had their children baptised here, and Jordan's royal court has sent the holy waters for British royal christenings. The masterplan for the new 340-acre baptism zone, next to the Unesco site, was unveiled last month by King Abdullah.