Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. (Matthew 3:13) 

The Jordan river flows from four streams that appear along the slopes of Mount Hermon. It flows down into the Sea of Galilee and out again to the Dead Sea.  The river flows a distance of 65 miles as the crow flies.  But its winding and curving stretch is actually 160 miles altogether. 

In the Old Testaments times lions were known to hide in the thick vegetation bordering the river (Jeremiah 49:19). John the Batist carried on his ministry around the Jordan.  Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River near Jerico.