The region of Judea across the Jordan is the place where John the Baptist had preached and baptized (Mark 1:4–5).1 This is significant since it was in this region that King Herod had authority. He is the king who had John arrested, imprisoned, and later beheaded because John had been saying to him, It is not lawful for you to have your brother
s wife’ (Mark 6:17–29).
1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.