These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

People's New Testament

1:28 These things were done in Bethabara. The Revised Version says in Bethany, a village whose site is now unknown, on the east bank of the Jordan. Bethabara means the house of the ford.

Wesley's Notes

1:28 Where John was baptizing - That is, used to baptize.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. Bethabara-Rather, "Bethany" (according to nearly all the best and most ancient manuscripts); not the Bethany of Lazarus, but another of the same name, and distinguished from it as lying "beyond Jordan," on the east.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:19-28 John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized the people with water as a profession of repentance, and as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings to be conferred on them by the Messiah, who was in the midst of them, though they knew him not, and to whom he was unworthy to render the meanest service.