Albert Barnes on John 1:28

In Bethabara. Almost all the ancient manuscripts and versions, instead of Bethabara here, have Bethany, and this is doubtless the true reading. There was a Bethany about 2 miles east of Jerusalem, but there is said also to have been another in the tribe of Reuben, on the east side of the river Jordan, and in this place, probably, John was baptizing. It is about 12 miles above Jericho. The word Bethabara means house or place of a ford. The reading Bethabara, instead of Bethany, seems to have arisen from the conjecture of Origen, who found in his day no such place as Bethany, but saw a town called Bethabara, where John was said to have baptized, and therefore took the liberty of changing the former reading.--Rob., Lex.

Beyond Jordan. On the east side of the river Jordan.

(e) "in Bethabara" Jud 7:24