John the Baptist
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “The LORD is gracious”
The forerunner of the Messiah, a prophet who preached repentance in the wilderness, baptized Jesus in the Jordan, and was beheaded by Herod Antipas.
Biography
John the Baptist was the prophesied forerunner of the Messiah — the last and greatest of the Old Testament–style prophets, of whom Jesus said, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater" (Matthew 11:11). His whole calling was to point away from himself to Christ.
A miraculous birth
Born to the aged priest Zacharias and Elisabeth (a kinswoman of Mary), John's birth was announced by the angel Gabriel, who said he would go "in the spirit and power of Elias… to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17).
Preacher in the wilderness
Clothed in camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey, John preached in the desert of Judea, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). Crowds came to be baptized, confessing their sins, as he prepared the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3).
Baptizing the Messiah
When Jesus came to be baptized, John protested his unworthiness, then beheld the Spirit descend and declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). His mission summed up in his words, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Martyrdom
John rebuked Herod Antipas for unlawfully taking his brother's wife, Herodias, and was imprisoned. At a banquet, Herodias's daughter, prompted by her mother, asked for his head, and Herod had him beheaded (Mark 6:27). Jesus mourned him and honored him as "a burning and a shining light" (John 5:35).
Life Timeline
Birth announced by Gabriel to Zacharias
Preaches repentance and baptizes in the Jordan
Baptizes Jesus and declares Him the Lamb of God
Beheaded by Herod Antipas at Herodias’s request
On the Bible timeline
John the Baptist belongs to the The Gospels — the Life of Jesus era (c. 6 BC – AD 30).
- c. 6 – 4 BCThe Birth of Jesus
- c. AD 27 – 30The Ministry of Jesus
- c. AD 30 – 33The Crucifixion & Resurrection
- c. AD 30 – 33Pentecost
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from John the Baptist
Biblical themes that run through the passages where John the Baptist appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
15 verses in 3 booksMatthew7 verses
Matthew 3:1
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Matthew 11:11
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 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. suffereth: or, is gotten by force, and they that thrust men
Matthew 14:2
And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. do: or, are wrought by him
Matthew 14:8
And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Matthew 16:14
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matthew 17:13
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Mark4 verses
Mark 6:14
And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
Mark 6:24
And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
Mark 6:25
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Mark 8:28
And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Luke4 verses
Luke 7:20
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luke 7:28
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Luke 7:33
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
Luke 9:19
They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
Frequently asked about John the Baptist
Who was John the Baptist in the Bible?
The forerunner of the Messiah, a prophet who preached repentance in the wilderness, baptized Jesus in the Jordan, and was beheaded by Herod Antipas.
What does the name John the Baptist mean?
The name John the Baptist means “The LORD is gracious”.
What did John the Baptist do in the Bible?
John the Baptist served as prophet, of the tribe of Levi.
Who were John the Baptist's parents?
John the Baptist was the child of Zacharias, Elisabeth.
Where does John the Baptist appear in the Bible?
John the Baptist is mentioned 15 times across 3 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke.
What can we learn from John the Baptist?
The story of John the Baptist touches on themes of amusements and pleasures, worldly, amusements and worldly pleasures, jesus, the christ, miracles — explore each to study the lessons drawn from John the Baptist's life.
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