John the Baptist
the one who baptized
Who was John the Baptist?
- Son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Luke 1:13
- He baptized in the Jordan River and announced that someone greater than he was coming. Mark 1:4-8
- He baptized Jesus. Mark 1:9
- The name
- “John” is a Hebrew name that means “the Lord has given his grace.” Benedict XVI, general audience of July 5, 2006
- Also called
- John, son of Zechariah Luke 3:2
- From
- A town in the hill country of Judah, where his parents lived; the Bible does not say which one Luke 1:39-40
- Occupation
- Prophet: he preached and baptized Luke 1:76; Mark 1:4
- Feast day
- June 24: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
What the Bible says
Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:
Mark 1:4-8
4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins. 5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Mark 1:9
And it came to pass, in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The path of John the Baptist
- Before Jesus. Before he was born, he leaped for joy in his mother’s womb when Mary greeted her. Luke 1:41, 44
- Before Jesus. When he was eight days old, his mother said he would be named John, and his father wrote it on a tablet. Luke 1:59-60, 63
- Before Jesus. He lived in the desert. There God spoke to him, and he began to preach and baptize by the Jordan. Luke 1:80; Luke 3:2-3
- With Jesus. He baptized Jesus in the Jordan. Mark 1:9
- With Jesus. He pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and two of John’s disciples went with Jesus. John 1:35-37
- With Jesus. Herod put John in prison because John told Herod it was wrong to marry Herodias, his brother’s wife. Mark 6:17-18
- With Jesus. From prison, he sent messengers to ask Jesus if he was the one who was to come. Matthew 11:2-3
- With Jesus. Herod had him beheaded in prison. John’s disciples took his body and buried it. Mark 6:27, 29
Words of John the Baptist
“Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
When he was preaching in the desert of Judea.
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.” John 1:23
When some priests sent from Jerusalem asked him who he was.
“I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?” Matthew 3:14
When Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
“Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
When he saw Jesus coming toward him.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
When his disciples told him that everyone was going to Jesus.
What they were like
- Brave: he told King Herod Antipas it was wrong to have married Herodias, his brother’s wife. Mark 6:18
- Humble: “He must increase; I must decrease.” John 3:30
The greatest thing they did
- He baptized Jesus in the Jordan. Mark 1:9
- He pointed to Jesus and said: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
Not to be confused with
- John the Apostle: John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah, and he baptized Jesus. John the Apostle was a fisherman, the son of Zebedee, and one of the Twelve. Luke 1:13; Mark 1:9; Matthew 4:21; Mark 3:14, 17
In the Church today
Feast day: June 24, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (solemnity). General Roman Calendar
In art, recognized by: A lamb, because he pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God From Jn 1, 29.36; this is how Christian art shows him; The garment of camel’s hair From Mc 1, 6; this is how Christian art shows him
John the Baptist in art
What people ask
Were John the Baptist and Jesus relatives?
Their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary, were relatives. The Bible does not say exactly how the two of them were related. Luke 1:36
Was John the Baptist Elijah?
When people asked him, John said no. Jesus, however, said that John was the Elijah who was to come. John 1:21; Matthew 11:14
Why was John the Baptist killed?
John told Herod it was wrong to marry Herodias, his brother’s wife. That is why Herodias wanted to kill John, and she told her daughter to ask for John’s head. Mark 6:18-19, 24
Why did John tell Herod that?
Because the Law of Moses did not allow a man to marry his own brother’s wife. Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21
What did John the Baptist eat?
Locusts and wild honey. He wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt. Mark 1:6
Why does he have two feast days?
The Church celebrates his birth on June 24 and his martyrdom on August 29. He is the only saint with both feasts. Benedict XVI, general audience of August 29, 2012; General Roman Calendar
Daily life He wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6 He lived in the desert until the day he…
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