John the Baptist
Israelite / Jew Jewish (of priestly family) · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- John, John the Baptist
- Name means
- John: 'the LORD is gracious'
- Role
- Prophet; forerunner of the Messiah
- When
- c. AD 28-29 (ministry)
What they did
He preached repentance in the wilderness of Judaea, baptised in the Jordan, baptised Jesus, and pointed others to him as the Lamb of God; he was imprisoned and beheaded by Herod Antipas.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He fulfilled the prophecy of the voice crying in the wilderness, preparing hearts for Christ and pointing people away from himself to the Saviour.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29 (KJV)
Bible references
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; Luke 1:76 (KJV)
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matthew 3:1-3 (KJV)
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29 (KJV)
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11 (KJV)
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Mark 6:17-18 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Zacharias
- Mother
- Elisabeth
A fuller character study, with strengths, failures, lessons and a relationship diagram:
Open the character study