The phrase "beyond Jordan" (הִיִּרְדֵּן עֵבֶר, πέραν τοῦ Ι᾿ορδάνου ) frequently occurs in the Scriptures, and to ascertain its meaning we must, of course, attend to the situation of the writer (see Kuinol, Comment. in John 1:28). With Moses it usually signifies the country on the western side of the river, as he wrote upon its eastern bank (Genesis 1:10-11; Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 1:5; Deuteronomy 3:8; Deuteronomy 3:20; Deuteronomy 4:46); but with Joshua, after he had crossed the river, it means the reverse (Joshua 5:1; Joshua 12:7; Joshua 22:7). In Matthew 4:15, it means "by the side of the Jordan." (See ATAD).